Jan week1 Prayer for North Korea
1. US: "North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia Choose Suicide Over Surrender, Fearing Retribution"
A scene allegedly showing Ukrainian special forces repelling North Korean troops on the Kursk front. Two soldiers are sitting in the snow moments before being attacked. [Captured from Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Facebook video] / Yonhap News Agency
Summary of the Article
The White House reported that over 1,000 casualties among North Korean troops deployed to Kursk, Russia, occurred in just the past week. It explained that these soldiers, fearing retribution against their families, are choosing suicide over surrendering to Ukrainian forces.
John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, stated that North Korean troops, alongside Russian forces, launched large-scale offensives, but such human-wave tactics proved ineffective. He criticized Russian and North Korean commanders for treating North Korean soldiers as expendable and persisting in futile attacks.
Notebook records recovered from deceased North Korean soldiers revealed reckless preparations against drone attacks, such as the so-called "three-man drone interception strategy." Kirby added that North Korean soldiers, deeply indoctrinated, continue with reckless attacks and opt for suicide out of fear of retribution against their families.
Defector Lee Hyun-seung explained that becoming a prisoner of war (POW) is considered a severe disgrace in North Korea, with those captured being labeled as traitors who betrayed their country. Their families face collective punishment, being demoted to a hostile class. Lee pointed out that North Korean soldiers sent to Russia likely underwent such ideological indoctrination before deployment. However, he noted that younger generations, with lower loyalty to the state and party, might still surrender, albeit rarely.
[2024.12.27. Radio Free Asia / Full Article: https://url.kr/34tsaz]
Prayer Requests
"He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor" (Psalm 72:4, NIV)
ￏ North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia are being sacrificed at the frontlines in reckless human-wave tactics, treated as expendable by both Russian and North Korean commanders. These soldiers, fearing retribution against their families by North Korean authorities, choose suicide over surrender. Lord, have mercy on these soldiers, protect their lives and health, and grant healing and swift recovery to the wounded.
ￏ May the Russia-Ukraine war end quickly to prevent further loss of life and suffering caused by war.
ￏ May North Korean residents come to know the truth about the reality of their soldiers being sacrificed as cannon fodder on the Kursk front. Lord, bring an end to the three-generation idolization and dictatorship of Kim Jong Un, who falsely portrays himself as a “leader who loves his people,” while driving countless soldiers into peril. Raise up righteous leaders and governments that prioritize the lives, health, and well-being of the people.
2. North Korea Intensifies Anti-American Ideological Education on Christmas: "Devilish Imperialism"
Summary of the Article
North Korea, which does not celebrate Christmas due to its perception as a "capitalist holiday," ramped up anti-American ideological education on Christmas Day this year. The Rodong Sinmun referenced the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, urging citizens to "never forget the blood-stained past." It emphasized that "ideology is never inherited" and promoted "unending class education through generations." The primary goal of this "class education" is to instill hostility toward the U.S. and other capitalist systems among North Korean residents.
The newspaper stressed that "ensuring young generations who have not experienced the oppression of imperialism remember its devilish nature at all times is the foremost task in class struggle." While North Korea does not celebrate Christmas, most citizens are aware that it is widely celebrated around the world. Thus, North Korea's emphasis on ideological control on Christmas Day appears to be aimed at preventing citizens from developing illusions about the outside world.
With the upcoming Workers’ Party plenary session and the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, known for sending amicable messages to Kim Jong Un, there is growing interest in what message Kim will deliver regarding the U.S.
[2024.12.25. Yonhap News TV / Full Article: https://url.kr/w1a62z]
Prayer Requests
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NIV)
ￏ North Korea is the only nation that does not celebrate Christmas and instead promotes anti-American and anti-capitalist ideology through the Rodong Sinmun and other outlets, urging younger generations to inherit these beliefs. Lord, we pray that the false propaganda, indoctrination, and anti-American ideological education carried out by Kim Jong Un's regime on Christmas will be rendered powerless.
ￏ May the day of gospel unification come soon, so that North Koreans can also celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior from sin, and freely hold Christmas worship services. Lord, we ask that our northern compatriots be liberated from the Kim Il Sung-based Juche ideology and the idolatrous deification of the Kim family, so they may freely believe in Jesus and receive salvation.
3. State Department Calls for Sanctions Enforcement After South Korea Sentences Former Official for 'Illegal Remittance to North Korea'
A view of the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C.
Summary of the Article
The U.S. State Department has urged the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions following the South Korean appellate court's sentencing of Lee Hwa-young, former vice governor of Gyeonggi Province, to prison. A State Department spokesperson emphasized, "It is critical for the international community to send a strong and united message that North Korea must cease its reckless actions, comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions, and engage in serious and sustained diplomacy."
On December 19, Lee was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison on charges of arranging for Ssangbangwool Group to cover expenses for Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's dealings with North Korea. The court found that during Lee Jae-myung's tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, Ssangbangwool Group paid $5 million for a smart farm project and $3 million for Lee’s visit to North Korea, totaling $8 million.
The court determined that these funds were transferred to North Korean officials, including Song Myong-chol and Ri Ho-nam of the North’s Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, through intermediaries in China. Lee Jae-myung, who is also charged in the illegal remittance case, is expected to be affected by this significant ruling against Lee Hwa-young.
The act of delivering cash to North Korean officials constitutes a clear violation of UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, as well as multiple breaches of the U.S. government's independent sanctions prohibiting transactions with the North Korean regime or its representatives.
[2024.12.21. VOA / Full Article: https://url.kr/8c5zvy]
Prayer Requests
"For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14, NIV)
ￏ The U.S. State Department has called on the international community to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea after former Gyeonggi Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young was sentenced to seven years and eight months for facilitating payments for Lee Jae-myung’s visit to North Korea. Lord, let no further violations of the UN Security Council’s sanctions occur in our nation, and may the truth of this incident be made clear to the people of South Korea.
ￏ Grant fair and just rulings based on law and principles in Lee Hwa-young’s appeal and Lee Jae-myung’s trial for illegal remittances to North Korea.
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