A Glimpse Into Our Secret Work with North Koreans in China
For sister Han (not her real name), the desire to see North Koreans meet Jesus has forever changed her life. As an Open Doors field worker, she is involved in training North Koreans hiding in China, working especially close with trafficked North Korean women.
In a rare interview, she shared her story with us 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.”
My blood family needs to know Jesus.
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. 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 (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.”
It’s a lonely path. Because the work is so secretive, you can never share with others what you do.
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. Not all the women who come to the meetings are believers already. Most like singing though, even when they are Christian songs.”
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.”
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.
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.
