A glimpse into our secret work with North Koreans in China

“My blood family needs to know Jesus.”

For sister Han (not her real name), this desire to see North Koreans meet Jesus has forever changed her life—and the lives of countless North Koreans. She left a corporate job to serve her “blood family.” Today, as an Open Doors field worker, she is involved in training North Koreans hiding in China, working especially with North Korean women who have been trafficked to China.

Every month, she meets with them to teach them about the Bible and hopes for the day when some of these women will become future leaders of the North Korean church. In a rare interview, Sister Han shared her story and gave us a glimpse into this secret and critical work she and others do to help North Koreans meet Jesus and let Him transform their lives.

Can you tell our donors who you are and what you do?

“You can call me ‘sister Han.’ I am a field worker helping North Korean women in China. Most of them have been forcibly married to Chinese husbands. I organize secret meetings for them and give financial support on behalf [of Open Doors supporters]. The women are very grateful. I wish I could tell them about the support of so many donors, but they cannot know about foreign support. It’s too dangerous.”

How did you become involved in North Korean ministry?

“I used to work in marketing and wasn’t interested in North Korea at all. That changed after I became a believer in 2006. Suddenly, it hit me. I had been living for more than 30 years and had never done anything for people in the North, even though we come from the same bloodline. I repented that I had never cared about them.”

But how did you hear about what was happening in North Korea?

“It was weird actually. I went to church one day, and the preacher just mentioned North Korea. He didn’t explain anything about the country, but it was like my ears just popped open. Suddenly, I realized the North Korean people needed our help.
“Not long after, I was hired by an NGO (non-governmental organization). Some of the missionaries dealt with North Koreans. I went to China to study. For years, I kept on praying for the Lord’s will for my life. Then, one day, I met Brother Simon (Simon Lee*, Open Doors’ coordinator for our work with North Koreans). He shared about the work Open Doors did for North Koreans, gave me more background information, and invited me to become part of the ministry.

“In those days, I did a lot of research about North Korea. What struck me was that while I had been living for my career, the North Koreans didn’t even know about God. My own blood family … doesn’t know about Jesus! I decided I wanted to dedicate my life to helping them and moved to an area close to the Chinese Korean border area.”

When you became a field worker for North Koreans in China, what were your expectations?

“I knew from other co-workers that it’s a lonely path. Because the work is so secretive, you can never share with others what you do. Even going to church may make you suspicious. But the loneliness doesn’t bother me. I had waited many years before God finally opened the door to help North Koreans.”

A few years ago, the pandemic started in China. It was the first country to impose lockdowns and about the last one to lift them. What was the impact on your work?

“The nature of the work changed. Traveling within China was much harder. Before, I could take a bus anywhere, but now, suddenly, all passengers were checked. The police wanted to know who you were, where you were going and if you really had to go. I couldn’t tell them my destination, because then they would know I was working with illegal North Koreans and that I was involved in ‘religious work.’ So, I had to disguise myself so I looked like the locals. I would also have to use a local car and a local driver.”

When you meet with North Korean women, what do you do?

“We meet once every few weeks for a couple of hours in a secret location. We worship together, share what’s going on in our lives, and then I give a sermon or other teaching. The ladies don’t always ask a lot of questions. I’ve noticed they are more engaged if I discuss God from a personal angle. It’s more interesting than when I just teach ‘dry Scripture.’ Not all the women who come to the meetings are believers already. Most like singing though, even when they are Christian songs.”

If they are not believers, why do they come?

“For various reasons. We support them with some money, but they also would like to meet other North Korean women. Their world is very small.”

Is it difficult to build trust with these women?

“Absolutely! North Korea has indoctrinated them about the Bible and about Christianity. They are very hesitant at first. Besides, many of these women have gone through traumatic events. Some are being abused by their husbands and/or relatives.”

Can you share a brief story about one of these women you support and train?

“One young lady’s mother was very sick. She had cancer in North Korea, but the family didn’t have money to pay for medical treatment. The daughter wanted to go to China to earn some money and approached a female broker. The broker promised to take her to China and said it wasn’t hard to get a good job. However, the broker deceived her and sold her off to a Chinese husband for 50,000 RMB (about $7,000). She hasn’t been able to return to North Korea.”

That’s very tough. Is she a believer?

“No, though most of the women who attend our meetings are now believers. But this lady is not yet. She faithfully attends the meetings, so we are hopeful she will allow God into her heart.”
What are the risks for you and your groups?

“We are always nervous that someone will report us to the police. Nowadays, any sort of gathering is suspicious in China. The government doesn’t like it when groups meet, certainly not Christians, especially not North Korean Christians. If we make too much noise, or someone in the neighborhood gets suspicious, we could easily be reported and arrested. Who knows what will happen then? Especially to the North Korean ladies. They may be sent back to their own country.”

How should we pray for North Koreans in China and for your ministry?

“Above all, pray for protection. There are many spies. It’s always possible that one of the group members is a secret agent. Besides that, the Chinese government has been rounding up more refugees. Recently, a few hundred North Koreans—most of them women—were sent back and imprisoned in North Korea.

“Also pray for the hearts of the ladies, that they will receive Jesus who knocks on the door of their hearts. Finally, pray for more workers who are willing to take risks to support North Korean Christians.”

Because of your prayers and support, Open Doors is able to support several hundred North Korean trafficked women through female co-workers like sister Han. The women receive financial support, clothes, medicines, and necessary female products, as well as pastoral care and biblical training.

A North Korean recently left a note in one of the Open Doors safe houses your gifts and prayers support. “We don’t know your name and you don’t know mine. But thanks to you, I have learned about Jesus. I finally have peace in my heart.”

*Name changed to protect identity

please pray

Pray with us for sister Han and our ministry to North Koreans in China:

Pray for safety. Sister Han says there are many spies, and it’s possible that a group member could be an undercover agent. Additionally, she warns that the Chinese government is intensifying efforts to capture more refugees.
Pray for the North Koreans in Sister Han’s Bible study group and for all of those currently in safe houses. Pray that God would open their hearts to Jesus.
Pray for more workers who are willing to take risks in supporting North Korean Christians.

GIVE TODAY

Will you consider giving to the persecuted church today?

Open Doors aims to “strengthen what remains and is about to die” (Rev 3:2). Your donations can help us provide continuous support to the persecuted Christians worldwide and enable us to respond immediately to emergency situations.

GIVE A GIFT

A glimpse into our secret work with North Koreans in China

Related Articles

Recommended Articles