Open Doors USA has joined the North Korea Freedom Coalition (NKFC), increasing its emphasis on advocacy for religious freedom and basic human rights for North Koreans.

“Open Doors USA is thrilled to be able to partner with other organizations which are committed to bringing freedom to North Koreans and supporting the suffering people while raising awareness of their plight around the world,” says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “Christians in North Korea are suffering terribly for their faith in Jesus Christ.”

According to Open Doors, thousands of Christians are currently suffering in North Korean prison camps. It is suspected that North Korea detains more political and religious prisoners than any other country in the world. Even worse, the government will also arrest three generations of the family of those who are detained.

North Koreans are forced to worship the late Kim Il Sung, his son and current leader Kim Jong Il and to obey them absolutely. Around 2 to 3 million people have died over the past 10 years due to a food shortage. 15 percent of all children under 5 years old are malnourished.

North Korea was ranked the first on the Open Doors annual World Watch List for its severe persecution on Christian over the last three years. Open Doors USA Advocacy Coordinator Lindsay Vessey said “it only makes sense that we join the North Korea Freedom Coalition."

NKFC is a coalition of religious, human rights, non-governmental Korean and American organizations whose primary purpose is to bring freedom to the North Korean people and to ensure that the human rights component of United States and world policy towards North Korea receives priority attention.

The upcoming partnership with NKFC will be the North Korea Freedom Week on April 22-30, 2006. Open Doors has also launched a prayer campaign for North Korea. It aims to knit a prayer blanket for North Korea with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week non-stop prayers.