The most difficult country in the world to reach with the Gospel became even more challenging this past year when the US and South Korean governments cut funding for broadcasts into the country. According to Christian Today, reduced budgets led to an 80% decrease in the number of hours of outside broadcasts reaching North Korea.
“It’s hard to know exactly how many people were listening to these broadcasts,” said Timothy Cho, North Korean spokesperson for Open Doors UK. “But it was in the hundreds of thousands, possibly millions.”
One of the Last Christian Broadcasts Reaching North Korea
Since 1956, God has used the FEBC team to share the Good News of Jesus with North Korea. Broadcasting from South Korea, FEBC is now one of the final remaining evangelical radio programs that can still be heard in North Korea.
Although it’s difficult to determine exact figures, it’s estimated there are around 400,000 Christians in North Korea, despite the restrictions and persecution people face for practicing their faith. These brothers and sisters in Christ now have extremely limited ways to hear the Gospel in their heart language. With Bibles and evangelism banned in North Korea, the radio serves as a crucial way to reach the unreached.
We’ve had the honor of sitting down with a few North Korean escapees to hear their stories. One of them, Moses Yeon, told us, “It is almost impossible to share the Gospel with [North Koreans] in person…so radio is the best option. We need your help and your prayers for the message of salvation to reach North Koreans through the ministry of FEBC.”
Trusting in God’s good work
Ms. Lim, another North Korean escapee, told us how she used to listen to the radio at 2:00 am with a blanket over her head to prevent anyone from hearing. “I heard the Gospel for the first time through FEBC,” she said. “Now, my family members are Christians. I know real peace and joy for the first time in my life. When I was alone and my soul was hungry, you offered me spiritual nourishment!”
Gyeong-bae Ju is an FEBC listener in South Korea who escaped North Korea years ago. He says, “Please be assured that many people learn about God through the FEBC broadcasts. They wake up hearing our prayers. I am confident there will be a revival in North Korea.”
Praying for Another Revival in North Korea
Before the rise of the Kim family, Christianity was thriving in North Korea. Pyongyang, in the northern region of the country, was known as the “Jerusalem of the East” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A revival in Pyongyang in 1907 catalyzed a rapid growth of Protestant Christianity, and by the mid-20th century, an estimated 13% of Koreans identified as Christian.
Japanese occupation, followed by World War II and the rise of the Kim regime, led to intense persecution and the suppression of Christianity. The country’s faith has never recovered since. Only a minority of Believers are still carrying the faith in secret.
Revivals start when there’s a remnant of people genuinely hungry for the presence of God and courageous enough to obey Him, regardless of the circumstances.
We know God is transforming the lives of people across North Korea, and that is why we are continuing to share the Gospel with the North Korean people. God’s mission is not yet complete in this country, and neither is ours.
Because of your partnership and support, FEBC is able to continue sharing the Gospel with people who are desperate for hope – Thank you!
