South Korea made “Bible launches” illegal
In the latest efforts to stop Scripture from crossing borders into North Korea, South Korean authorities made Bible launches illegal on Friday. Mission Network News reports that South Korea passed the law which includes hefty fines "and bans any activities connected to cross-border balloon or sea bottle launches."
“For 15 years, we’ve had a very good cooperative relationship at all levels of the South Korean government (…) We’re saddened that government has taken the step to move away from this 15-year policy of collaboration and, instead, [sees] freedom of religion as suddenly a threat to life and property,” Pastor Eric Foley, CEO of VOM Korea, says.
Foley says the organisation does the launches not in an effort to evangelise North Koreans but to help Christians already in the country.
“When we started [the launches] zero per cent of North Koreans had ever seen a Bible with their own eyes. Now, eight-per cent of them have, as of 2016; so, it’s probably now past eight per cent,” Foley explained.
Being a Christian is a capital offence in North Korea. Foley says that “whether it’s North Korea and balloon launching or whatever the country is where persecution or difficulties are being faced, let’s pray – not for persecuted Christians but with persecuted Christians as one body.”
Source and image: chvnradio.com
