5. Holidays in NK

Important holidays in North Korea include New Year’s Day, current leader Kim Jong-Il’s birthday on February 16, and the “Great Leader,” Kim Il-Sung’s birthday on April 15.

School children prepare special performances for this day, and international guests are either invited or international consultations delayed so as to not interfere with the celebrations. Armed Forces Day is April 25 and, as in all socialist countries, May Day is celebrated on May 1. Kim Il-Sung’s death on July 8 is also remembered and “Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War” is celebrated on July 27. This is when the agreement was signed that, in 1953, suspended active fighting after the three-year Korean War. August 15 is celebrated as the day that unified Korea was liberated from Japan in 1945 at the end of World War II. In 2005 this marked new steps towards unity for Korea as some North Korean officials came down to South Korea to celebrate this holiday together.

After World War II the North set up its own government and on September 9 officially proclaimed the establishment of the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).” September 9, “Foundation Day,” celebrates the beginning of this government. October 10 is “Korean Workers’ Party Foundation Day,” commemorating the founding of the Communist Workers Party in North Korea. The nation's Constitution Day is December 27.

Again, these holidays are patriotic reminders based on recent national events. They are a way in which Kim Il-Sung still exerts his power over North Korea today.

In days to come, when your sons asks you, “What does this mean?” say to him, “With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Exodus 13:14

• Pray that the Lord would speak to North Koreans creatively on and near these holidays: Jan 1,Feb 16, Apr 15and 25, May 1,July 8 and 27,Aug 15, Sept 9,Oct 10 andDec 27.
• Pray that North Koreans will know true liberation and freedom spiritually inChrist.