OMF Press Release: North Korea - The death of Kim Jong-il

21/12/2011 4:54 pm

North Korean state media have reported the death of Kim Jong-il, aged 69. His son, Kim Jong-Un was described by the state media as the ‘great successor’.

As North Korea announced the death two days after the event, most commentators feel that the leadership have things under control. The North’s media has rallied the army and the people to follow the new leader. It is less likely that the new leader would want to increase tension or change local and foreign policies during this time of transition. On the other hand, no one knows how the transition or the immediate future will work out. It seems all the surrounding nations and those involved in the six nations talks have given cautious responses and have asked for calm, despite carrying out some emergency measures such as putting the army or cabinet on high alert.

Kim Jong-il wanted the DPRK to be a ‘powerful and prosperous state’ b

y 15 April 2012, the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung – despite hunger hitting the nation anew in the summer of 2011 due to poor harvests.

Despite the very limited information, we have witnessed changes in North Korea over the last 10 years. Before 2001, about 500 people had come out; now the number exceeds 21,000. More and more people inside the North are learning of life in China, Russia, Europe – and South Korea. Many international professionals have gone to work in North Korea. They are mainly involved in businesses, humanitarian aid and education. Chinese citizens also have access to North Korea and can enter without a special visa.

The OMF intercessor who started the OMF North Korea news bulletin 10 years ago, says: ‘The Pentecost in Acts 2 was preceded by united and sustained intercession by the early disciples in Acts 1. In Acts 2:14, “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” Similarly, if we truly desire to see a revival in the land of North Korea, we need to see a widening prayer movement focusing on this unreached people group. Hence, as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the publication of the first issue of the North Korea Prayer Bulletin, let’s recommit ourselves to see the development of a global prayer movement for the people in the North.
Please pray for:

  • For God’s sovereign will to be realised for this needy nation and suffering people despite the uncertainty from a human perspective
  • For the people to recognise and put their trust in a Ruler who is just and righteous, and who alone is eternal
  • For the new leader, army and officials to be open to new ways of resolving many challenges facing the grieving nation
  • For openness to other nations to assist in overcoming recurrent food shortage and economic struggles
  • For more opportunities for Christian professionals to enter and serve the nation and the people
  • For more prayer partners to intercede for this nation, and for more workers to be called to serve the North Korean people

To continue to pray for North Korea, sign up for the OMF North Korea newsletter, email omf@omf.org.uk

Back