Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes the decision by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization to declare 25 June an International Day of Prayer for North Korea.

In an announcement circulated on 1 June, the Rev. S. Douglas Birdsall, Executive Chair of the organization, stated: 'On behalf of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and the Lausanne Movement, I declare 25 June to be an International Day of Prayer for North Korea and call on the church to pray for North Korea.'

The Day of Prayer comes at the climax of the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea, which runs from 19-25 June. 25 June is a significant date for the Korean people as it is the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

Prayer events are planned across the globe during the week leading up to the 25 to highlight the severe repression of religious and other freedoms, the imposition of idolatrous worship and the barbaric repression of Christians. Prayers will also focus on China, which refuses to acknowledge the existence of North Korean refugees and returns them to North Korea where they face mistreatment, and even death in the most serious cases.

The Global Week of Prayer for North Korea is supported by agencies around the world. Amongst the events planned are daily vigils outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, organised by Christian Social Responsibility. These will be complemented by vigils held outside Chinese Embassies in London, Washington DC, and Copenhagen during the week.

CSW's National Director, Stuart Windsor says: "We are delighted that the Lausanne Committee has issued this call to the Church to pray for the absolutely critical needs in North Korea. We are calling on Christians and Churches to adopt the prayer focus on North Korea as we firmly believe this issue should be high on the agenda of the worldwide Church due to the extremity of the repression and the state enforced idolatry in the country. We are trusting for a crescendo of prayer on 25th June that will carry the light and love of God to the people of North Korea."

Numerous resources are available for churches to facilitate presentation of the situation in a range of meeting formats. These, and other information, are available at [urlint=http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org]www.prayfornorthkorea.org[/urlint].

Notes to editors.

1. Organisations taking part in the Week of Prayer include: World Assemblies of God Fellowship, World Methodist Council, National Association of Evangelicals (US), Baptist World Alliance – Men's Department, World Evangelical Alliance – Religions Liberty Commission, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, North Korea Freedom Coalition, Midland Ministerial Alliance, God TV, Open Doors (UK), Durihana, Save North Korea, Christian Social Responsibility, Helping Hands Korea, Korean Church Coalition, Danish European Mission, Premier Christian Radio, Defense Forum Foundation, Promise Keepers, Release International, Cornerstone, Aegis Foundation, Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, China Aid Association, Korean Church Association (UK), Romanian Evangelical Alliance, Christians in Crisis, Stand Today, Justice et Solidarite Mondiales, Asia Link, Alliance Defense Fund, Bos Life News, Christian Concern for Freedom of Conscience.
2. The persecution of Christians in North Korea may be the worst anywhere in the world.
3. North Korean citizens are taught to worship their deceased head of state and 'Eternal President', Kim Il Sung. No belief in a higher authority is tolerated.
4. Being Christian is viewed as one of the most serious crimes. Those found to be Christians face violent mistreatment, brutal imprisonment and even execution.
5. Religious persecution is just one of the many human rights violations that are rife in North Korea, alongside the suffering caused by food shortages.
6. China is party to the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, but flouts its obligations under the treaty.
7. China even refuses to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to assess claims from North Koreans for refugee status.
8. Many North Koreans in China are left vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse as they seek to avoid detection and repatriation.