Jan_week5 2026 North Korea Prayer
1. Students forced into "Little Plan" assignments even during vacation… "It’s like stripping the skin off a person"
A photo showing children gathered on a school playground in the Namyang Workers' District, Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. / Photo = Daily NK
▶ ▶ Article Summary North Korean students are reportedly suffering from "Little Plan" assignments even during their school vacations. The "Little Plan" is a type of material mobilization task assigned to students under the pretext of "doing good deeds for the state." Students in third grade and above in Chongjin City were assigned tasks this vacation to collect 3kg of scrap metal, 1kg of scrap rubber, 1kg of waste paper, 5 empty bottles, and 10 penicillin/mycillin bottles. Students complete the task by delivering these items to designated procurement centers and submitting the "procurement certificate" to their schools. It is reported that complaints are rising, with parents lamenting that "it’s like stripping the skin off a person" as the burden of social tasks falls entirely on them during a time meant for rest and recharging. Failure to complete these tasks can lead to criticism during "Life Review" sessions after school starts, forcing parents to spend money to complete the assignments on behalf of their children. While children of high-ranking officials can obtain certificates through their parents' influence without submitting anything, sources say ordinary residents must find the items themselves or buy them, or otherwise face public criticism. [ 2026.01.21. Daily NK ]
▶ ▶ Prayer Points "The Lord said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.'" (Exodus 3:7)
Under the guise of the "Little Plan," primary and secondary students in North Korea must offer materials like scrap metal, rubber, and paper to schools even during vacation; if they fail to meet the quota, they become targets of criticism by their peers during Life Review sessions. Parents are burdened with their own quotas as well as their children's, leading to the desperate cry that it is "stripping the skin off a person." Lord, have mercy on the North Korean people and their children who live weary lives under the various forms of exploitation by the Kim Jong-un third-generation hereditary dictatorship.
In a society where failure to meet quotas leads to criticism, let the North Korean people no longer be deceived by the regime's empty propaganda of an "equal socialist paradise." May they long for unification under liberal democracy, and may a consensus for unification be formed among the people of both North and South Korea.
2. Sudden raid by Public Security to seize fake IDs… Fear of repatriation increases for defectors
/ Graphic = Daily NK
▶ ▶ Article Summary As the Chinese government significantly strengthens monitoring and control over North Korean defectors staying long-term with fake IDs, defectors in China are reportedly trembling in fear of forced repatriation. A source stated, "Recently, Public Security in Northeast China has been requiring the reporting of defectors' residency; once confirmed, they investigate and seize any fake IDs." Ms. A, a defector in her 40s from Onsong, North Hamgyong Province, who has lived in China for over a decade married to a Chinese man, had her fake ID seized during a sudden raid on January 7th. Public Security reportedly threatened her, saying, "If you cause even the slightest trouble, we will arrest you that day." This incident was sparked by a report from a Chinese neighbor. Defectors who held fake IDs had been earning money through disguised employment or daily labor, but they have now lost their jobs due to the seizures. Ms. A reportedly told her family in North Korea while remitting money, "I might suddenly lose contact. Prepare yourselves mentally." Other families of defectors, hearing of these situations, are suffering daily in fear and despair. [ 2026.01.19. Daily NK ]
▶ ▶ Prayer Points "He upholds the cause of the oppressed... the Lord sets prisoners free." (Psalm 146:7)
We hear news that North Korean defectors in China and their families in the North are suffering from fear and anxiety over forced repatriation due to the Chinese government's intensified crackdown on those with fake IDs. Have mercy on the defectors who must live in hiding as illegal residents under the constant threat of being sent back.
May China, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, abide by the UN Refugee Convention and the Convention Against Torture, recognizing North Korean defectors as UN refugees and halting forced repatriations. May those detained in Chinese prisons be released quickly without being repatriated to North Korea.
So that North Koreans no longer need to risk their lives to flee, may the North and South quickly achieve a gospel-centered unification under liberal democracy. Let the Korean churches and believers pray with all their hearts and prepare for this unification.
3. "Let's recognize North Korea as a nuclear state"... Bold claims lead to "Is America crazy these days?"
SBS News broadcast screen
▶ ▶ Article Summary The Washington Post reported that the U.S. should adopt a realistic policy of recognizing North Korea as a nuclear-armed state and pursuing arms control negotiations instead of denuclearization. In an editorial published on the 18th, the Washington Post noted that North Korea possesses up to 50 nuclear warheads and has secured enough nuclear material to produce more than 40 additional ones, evaluating that North Korea has effectively secured the status of a nuclear state. The outlet analyzed that the Trump administration also views North Korea as a nuclear state, though not officially recognized, citing changes in the National Security Strategy (NSS). While the first Trump administration explicitly set denuclearization as a goal, the NSS released by the second administration last year did not mention North Korea once—an "intended silence" interpreted as recognizing them as a nuclear state. The media also noted China's shift in attitude; China deleted the phrase "supporting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" from its revised white paper on arms control published last November. Instead, China demanded that "relevant parties" stop pressuring North Korea. The outlet argued that while recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state would be a significant and painful shift in U.S. foreign policy, arms control negotiations to limit the number of warheads and delivery systems are the most realistic option. [ 2026.01.19. SBS News ]
▶ ▶ Prayer Points "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:10-11)
The Washington Post recently commented that the U.S. should recognize North Korea as a nuclear state and pursue arms control instead of denuclearization, noting that the Trump and Chinese governments also unofficially view North Korea as such. Lord, may the major nations involved, including the U.S. and China, deal appropriately with North Korea's nuclear development and pursue righteous policies.
May President Trump and the U.S. government humbly seek God's wisdom and will, making decisions regarding North Korean policy that are pleasing to Him.
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