Christian ministry and persecution watchdog group Open Doors is reaching out to sex-trafficked North Korean women.
According to ChristianToday.com, the ministry helps between 150 and 200 abused women every year. Many North Korean women are sold into marriage or slavery across the border in northeast China.
Most of these women grew up in extreme poverty and some even were forced to witness executions of family members or friends by North Korea’s totalitarian authorities.
North Korea’s capital city, Pyongyang, used to be a hub of Christianity, but now has come to symbolize all that is opposed to the Christian faith.
Hwa-Young, a worker with Open Doors, commented on the circumstances faced by many North Korean women: "Even when they are older and leave the country, they still experience that psychological pressure of fear. There is much more freedom here in China, but the women are still not safe. Additionally, most of them have been abused, both in North Korea and in China. They feel numb. They don't even feel the hurt any more.”
Hwa-Young added that the ministry is raising up female leaders to help these women and to offer them practical assistance, pastoral care, and Bible studies.
North Korea will be number one on Open Doors 2017 World Watch List for Christian persecution for the 15th time in a row.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 6, 2017