The Degrading Freedom of Religion or Belief Conditions in North Korea

Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on North Korea:

North Korea Country Update - This country update highlights the ways in which religious freedom conditions in North Korea continued to deteriorate over the past few years. The report is based on information obtained through a review of publicly available information and consultations with representatives of civil society organizations, North Korean escapees, and U.S. government officials. USCIRF conducted a delegation to South Korea in 2024 to learn about religious freedom conditions in North Korea. The testimonies obtained confirmed that religious freedom remains virtually nonexistent in North Korea. 

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF continued its longstanding recommendation that the U.S. Department of State redesignate North Korea as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].