The Reality of Reunification: Mar-Apr NK Prayer

31 Days of Prayer for Korea March to April PDF 84 KB

When examining the current condition of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK/North Korea), it is easy for many to come to the quick conclusion that the answer lies in reunification with the Republic of Korea (ROK/South Korea). No matter how alike two groups of people may be, the more time that they spend apart the more different they tend to become. It can be likened unto meeting up with an old friend from high school. You may feel like you have just parted ways days ago, but the years that have passed while you have been apart have changed the two of you in many ways. The same is true with the DPRK and the ROK. Though they are ethnically the same, they have become very different; and these two groups will face many challenges upon the reunification of their economic, political, and religious ways of living.

People in the DPRK live very different lives than their brothers and sisters in the South. The average income in the DPRK is 3,000 won a month (the value of the won in the North and the South is very different). To put it into perspective: 1 kg of rice costs 1,000 won, 1 kg of pork costs 3,200 won, and a egg is 250 won (this takes into consideration the government distribution which, since the late 90s, does not affect the lower class). [i] According to Andrei Lankov, only the richest citizens in the DPRK own the 'seven contraptions (machines)’ of: a TV, refrigerator, washing machine, electric fan, sewing machine, tape recorder and camera [ii] These and many more modern ‘contraptions’ are considered necessities in an ROK citizen’s home. The average income in the ROK is more than 14 million won (US$15,800) a year; [iii] 1 kg of rice is about 3,000 won and an egg about 200 won. Commercials boast of new refrigerators and cars, and the magazines are filled with pictures of women with perfect skin advertising the newest skin care product. The economic differences between the two groups produce entirely different lifestyles. Many in the North find themselves concerned with the next meal; while those in the South can, if they choose, live a comfortable life without real worry about basic necessities. Economic differences certainly present a challenge to reunification, but the ideological differences will be much more difficult to face.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is operated by a philosophy called 'Juche'. 'Juche' or 'self-reliance' stands at the cornerstone of both the governmental policy and the state belief system. Immediately following the Korean War (1953), the state was able to sustain itself as a communist nation through the “equal” distribution of goods. Following the famine of the late 1990s, however, only the middle class received distribution, forcing the lower class to rely on subsistence farming. [iv] DPRK citizens have been taught the concept of Juche (joo-chay) since early childhood. As a result, they have been taught to rely on the state for almost all of their needs. Even though many rely on subsistence farming for their livelihood, they have been taught that it is Kim Jung Il who allows and provides for them to do so, resulting in very high respect for their leader. Individuals in the DPRK are limited in their speech, especially when it pertains to the government. The average citizen travels little and is limited in the contact they have with the outside world. Following the Korean War, the ROK was set up as a democracy ruled by a president, a ruling body and a code of law. The system is similar to that of western democratic nations. Individuals are often widely traveled and educated on other parts of the world. They are given freedom of speech and can be seen exercising their freedom of speech through protests in the streets. College students in the ROK frequent the streets representing their cause in mass; outfitted with vests, headbands and signs, they proclaim their views in large gatherings (some even continue to participate into their older age). One of the major issues upon reunification will be meshing of these two systems. Because of their education it will be difficult for those from the DPRK to find their place in a democratic system. It will probably be easier for them to find a leader to ‘replace’ the one that they have honored for so many years. Wouldn’t it be ideal if it were Jesus they chose to honor, as so many of those who have already left the DPRK have done? Politically speaking, the challenge will lie in helping all Koreans understand the freedom that each citizen has and how this applies to government.

Perhaps the most striking difference between the two countries is religion. The ROK allows religious freedom for the citizens and as is now considered one of the most evangelized nations in the world. [v] The skyline of Seoul is strung with neon crosses, which are placed atop most of the church buildings. Conversely, the DPRK makes claims in writing to freedom of religion and even has in its capital city of Pyongyang both a Protestant and a Catholic church that function for some. However, many in the DPRK do not have churches in their towns and have not heard the word of God. In fact, the limited information that has come out of the country makes claims to Christians having to pay a price for their beliefs. [vi] There is no doubt that the Christians that reside in the DPRK will have something to teach us of our Father. They have learned something about Christ that many of us will never experience in our lifetime because of the freedom we enjoy in worshipping Him. It is so important that as we pray, we also seek how the Lord would use us in deed to serve the people of the North both now and when the borders open.

As difficult as the issue of reunification may seem, we as Christians can rest in the fact that Christ holds all of the answers. Even though these two nations have been separated for so many years we can have confidence in knowing that when the time for reunification comes, he will have a purpose and plan in resolving many of the issues we have discussed. May we be ever aware and in prayer for those on both sides of the border, as the days of reunification draw near!

[i] Peace Foundation Seminar, “Livelihoods in North Korea,” Ilda Journal, October 25, 2006.

[ii] Andrei Lankov, “Keeping Up With the Kim’s,” The Korea Times, November 25, 2005.

[iii] www. worldbank.org

[iv] Peace Foundation Seminar, “Livelihoods in North Korea.”

[v] Patrick Johnson and Jason Mandryk, Operation World: 21st Century Edition, (USA: Paternoster Publishing, 2001), 386-390.

[vi] Soon Ok Lee, Eyes of the Tailless Animals: Prison Memoirs of a North Korean Woman, (USA: Living Sacrifice Book, 1999).