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.