Religious freedom conditions in North Korea are among the worst in the world. The North Korean constitution nominally grants freedom of religious belief, but it also prohibits the use of religion for “drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State.” Anyone caught practicing religion or even suspected of harboring religious views in private is subject to severe punishment, including arrest, torture, imprisonment, and execution.

Source: A rally celebrating the success of a recent nuclear test is held in Kim Il Sung square, REUTERS / KCNA

RELIGIOUS PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

Deacon Zhang Wen Shi

Deacon Jang Moon Seok, also known by his Chinese name, Zhang Wen Shi, is an ethnically Korean Chinese citizen who lived in Changbai, China, a town on the border between China and North Korea. He worked alongside Korean-Chinese pastor… Read More >

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Christianity Daily: North Korea Intensifies Christian Persecution By Portraying Them As 'Blood-Sucking Monsters'

Vision Christian Radio: North Korea “Removing All Traces of Christianity”

Fox News: North Korea blasted for violating religious freedom

Christian Post: Christians in North Korea face torture, execution by firing squad: USCIRF report

Christianity Daily: North Korea ‘Brutally Effective’ In Wicked Campaign To Eradicate Christianity, USCIRF Report Reveals

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USCIRF Releases Report Highlighting Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea

USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy

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USCIRF Commissioner James Carr Adopts Deacon Zhang Wen Shi of North Korea and Pastor A Dao of Vietnam through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project

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The National Interest: There Shall Be No God But Kim: Religious Freedom in North Korea

The Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On

Religion News Service -- Today — of all days — remember the disappeared

The Seattle Times -- World must pressure North Korea on human rights

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Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy

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2021 Annual Report

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Organized Persecution: Documenting Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea

August 18, 2021

Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses

November 10, 2020

North Korea Policy Update

August 26, 2020

Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in North Korea

November 29, 2018
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Testimony of Vice Chair Maenza on Global Persecution of Christians

July 09, 2019

Testimony of USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George on "The Crisis of International Religious Freedom"

October 28, 2015

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