.- “The Christians of North Korea are enduring a strong persecution,” said Father Vito del Prete, general secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union. He explained that “those who can, flee to China” and that “the entire population suffers from hunger, poor sanitation and is subject to the oppression of a totalitarian regime which denies fundamental human rights.”
Father Del Prete said Korean Christians “have an important role to fulfill.” They are “a strong religious minority” called to “evangelize the socio-political and economic structures and as Church to be an effective sign of communion.”
The missionary priest also mentioned North Korea’s recent abandonment of its nuclear program saying the decision “has contributed to reviving the peace and reconciliation process,” which is only possible if the two Koreas “leave aside their particular interests and those of their respective populaces, recognizing and respecting the fundamental rights of the human person.”
In this context, he said, Christians “are called to announce the unity of the family of God and work for reconciliation and unity in this population which conflict has divided.”
