Feb_week1 2026 North Korea Prayer
1. Surge in flu patients amidst -30°C extreme cold… vulnerable groups barely holding on
Housing units in Onseong County, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. / Photo = Daily NK
Article Summary
In the northern border regions of North Korea, where extreme cold around -30℃ persists, the number of residents suffering from cold symptoms is reportedly increasing rapidly. A source from Ryanggang Province reported that with the shortage of heating firewood, the symptoms are worsening rather than improving due to the continuous freeze. While residents try to obtain medicine or injections, a single pill costs 1,500–2,000 KPW and a Ciprofloxacin injection costs 40,000 KPW. Consequently, vulnerable groups suffering from economic hardship are placed in a dangerous situation without medical help. The source noted, "Residents already know that socialist free medical treatment has effectively disappeared. Hospitals demand fees for diagnosis and prescriptions, and drug prices are set at market levels, making it impossible for those without money to even go to the hospital." There are widespread calls for the state to provide free medicine or at least supply it at affordable prices. The source added, "Some parents, even while suffering from the flu themselves, endure it without medicine but wander around to find money to buy drugs for their children. It is a heartbreaking sight." [ Jan 28, 2026. Daily NK ]
Prayer Points
"He will have pity on the weak and the needy and save the lives of the needy." (Psalm 72:13)
As the flu spreads in northern North Korea amidst $-30^{\circ}C$ temperatures, vulnerable groups in poorly heated homes are in danger without access to medicine. Lord, please heal our North Korean brothers and sisters suffering from the flu without medicine so their condition does not worsen into pneumonia, and protect their lives and health.
The socialist free medical system in North Korea exists only in propaganda, while residents cannot receive basic benefits. Lord, have mercy on them and establish a normal leadership and regime that fears God and respects life, freedom, and human rights, so that basic needs are guaranteed and a stable medical system is built to protect their health.
2. Cho Yong-pil concert video spreads via USB… about 50 North Koreans detained for watching
CDs, USBs, and SD cards. / Photo = Daily NK
Article Summary
Dozens of North Koreans have reportedly been detained by security agencies for watching a video of the KBS Special "Cho Yong-pil: Forever This Moment," which aired last Chuseok and was distributed inside the country via USB. A source in North Hamgyong Province said, "This time, not only civilians but also several soldiers were caught, so the Military Security Command has joined the investigation." According to the source, over 50 residents in Rason and Chongjin were detained between December 20 and mid-January. Most detained residents testified, "He is someone who performed in Pyongyang, and we thought it was safe to watch because he is a South Korean singer approved by the Party." However, security agencies interrogated them harshly, suspecting they watched other content, eventually extracting confessions about viewing foreign news and photos, including South Korean reports on China and the Russia-Ukraine war. Security agencies are now focused on uncovering the distributors and routes. [ Jan 28, 2026. Daily NK ]
Prayer Points
"He upholds the cause of the oppressed... the Lord sets prisoners free." (Psalm 146:7)
Around 50 residents have been detained for watching a video of singer Cho Yong-pil, who has performed in Pyongyang. Lord, let the North Korean authorities realize they can no longer blindfold the people through oppression, and let all anti-human rights laws, including the "Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Act," be abolished.
By Your miraculous work, let the Gospel be spread widely to the North Korean people so many may be saved, and may North Korea be transformed into a liberal democracy through evangelization.
3. Discharged North Korean soldiers being dragged to Russia
Kim Jong-un (left) visited the construction site of the 'Overseas Military Operations Combat Merit Memorial' with his family on the 5th, looking joyful while driving a forklift carrying his daughter Kim Ju-ae (third from right) and memorial trees. Rodong Sinmun / News1
Article Summary
Kim Jong-un is expected to dispatch tens of thousands more troops to Russia this year. A source stated, "All soldiers scheduled for discharge this year will be sent to Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine." North Korean men serve an average of 10 years and women 5 years. With effective manpower estimated at 800,000, sending only the male discharged soldiers could total 40,000 people. Since bribery is common, children of officials or the wealthy will likely escape this fate, leaving the children of commoners to be selected. Many have never visited home during their 10-year service. They are sent to Russia because they are the easiest group to control. In the past, 10 years of service usually led to Party membership, but recently, less than 10% achieve this. Now, they are sent to factories, farms, or mines for 2-3 years of observation before membership is granted. Poor youths who have nothing else to hope for but Party membership have no choice but to endure more years of labor. Discharged soldiers sent to Russia will likely be told their membership depends on their performance there, where they may face over 16 hours of hard labor daily. [ Jan 26, 2026. Dong-A Ilbo ]
Prayer Points
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)
According to sources, Kim Jong-un plans to dispatch tens of thousands of discharged soldiers to Russia, mostly poor youths unable to pay bribes. Lord, let the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which violates UN sanctions, be stopped. Prevent our fellow North Korean youths from being sent to dangerous battlefields for forced labor.
Lord, protect the lives and health of the North Korean soldiers dispatched to Russia.
May the two North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine who wish to come to South Korea believe in Jesus and be saved. Let them be brought to South Korea quickly, and may the South Korean government fulfill its duty to protect them as citizens under the Constitution.
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