Feb_week2 2026 North Korea Prayer
1. UN Special Rapporteur: "Risk of Torture if North Korean POWs are Repatriated from Ukraine"... Rep. Yu Yong-won: "The Government Must Act"
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Amidst the agreement between Russia and Ukraine to exchange 314 prisoners of war on the 5th, it has been confirmed that two North Korean POWs who expressed their desire to defect to South Korea were fortunately excluded from the exchange. Elizabeth Salmón, the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights visiting Korea, stated that Ukraine has a legal obligation not to repatriate them, as they would face a high risk of torture and abuse if sent back to the North. Representative Yu Yong-won of the People Power Party (National Defense Committee) emphasized that since the possibility of forced repatriation remains, the government must take urgent measures, such as dispatching a presidential envoy. While the South Korean government maintains a principled stance of accepting them if they wish to defect, it is reported that no concrete governmental actions for their transfer have been initiated yet. [ Feb 6, 2026. TV Chosun / View Article: https://zrr.kr/51T8f7 ]
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"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." (Proverbs 24:11)
May the Ukrainian authorities respect the will of the two North Korean POWs, Baek Pyeong-gang and Ri Kang, and not forcibly repatriate them to North Korea where they face torture, abuse, and execution; may the procedures for them to be recognized as UN refugees proceed smoothly.
May this issue be covered by globally influential broadcasters like the BBC to reveal the reality of North Korea to the world. May domestic media also increase coverage so that the public can take interest and raise their voices together for the arrival of these two young men in South Korea.
May the two North Korean POWs in Ukraine who wish to come to the South find salvation through faith in Jesus and be brought to our country swiftly. May the South Korean government do its utmost to fulfill its duty of protection by taking custody of them, as they are legally citizens of our nation under the Constitution.
2. 'God’s Orchestra' Surpasses the 1 Million Mark… An Unpredicted Box Office Hit
God’s Orchestra is a faith-based South Korean film that is becoming a spiritual phenomenon, driven by the prayers and support of the Korean Church.
The film is inspired by the existence of two "showcase" churches in Pyongyang, built by the North Korean regime to deceive the international community. In the movie, a North Korean officer is ordered to form a fake Christian choir to project an image of religious freedom and secure much-needed foreign aid.
Despite a modest budget and being filmed on location in Mongolia, the movie delivers a profound and soul-stirring message that has deeply moved audiences.
While it faced a lack of screens compared to Hollywood blockbusters, the South Korean Church has rallied together, organizing mass group viewings. This collective effort has turned the film into a "miraculous" box office hit, surpassing 1 million viewers.
▶ ▶ Article Summary
The film God’s Orchestra has performed a miracle, surpassing 1 million viewers nationwide in its fifth week of release. This achievement comes amidst fierce competition with Hollywood blockbusters that have global fandoms, such as Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2. Starting with a relatively small number of screens, God’s Orchestra wrote a dramatic narrative, climbing from 5th to 1st place at the box office solely through the passionate support of the audience. It set a remarkable record by ranking 1st in weekend seat occupancy for four consecutive weeks, creating a legendary "climb-back" success story. No one paid much attention to it before its release, but the premise of a North Korean security officer forming a fake choir, combined with soul-stirring music, garnered a great response. Despite the disadvantage of fewer screens, high audience satisfaction led to voluntary word-of-mouth, resulting in expanded screenings and a reversal in reservation rates. At a time when surpassing 1 million viewers is rare due to the long-term slump in the Korean film industry, God’s Orchestra—having already passed its break-even point of 700,000—continues its sprint toward even higher goals. [ Feb 5, 2026. SBS Entertainment News / View Article: https://zrr.kr/zRD0AM ]
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"May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you." (Psalm 67:5)
We thank You for allowing the film God’s Orchestra, which portrays the lives of North Koreans and the reality of Christian persecution, to surpass 1 million viewers. May even more citizens and people abroad watch this film. Through this, may people worldwide pay attention to the horrific human rights issues faced by North Korean residents and underground believers. Rule over the hearts of the audience so that they may long for a liberal democratic unification that sets our North Korean brothers and sisters free.
Through watching this film, may South Korean believers repent for their past failure to pray for North Korea and fulfill their "blood-related responsibility" by praying for the people in the North from now on.
Lord, please hasten the day of gospel-driven unification under liberal democracy, so that the North Korean people may freely believe in Jesus, worship Him in spirit and truth, offer praise, and further, freely engage in evangelism and missions.
3. The 12th Lunar Month is the 'Rotten Month'... North Koreans Don't Make Soybean Paste Due to Superstition
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Although superstition is prohibited as a "non-socialist act" in North Korea, it remains deeply rooted in the daily lives of its residents. Most notably, the 12th month of the lunar calendar is considered a "rotten month," and a widespread superstition suggests that making soybean paste (jang) during this time brings bad luck. Because of this, residents rushed to boil and dry soybeans before the 1st day of the 12th lunar month (January 19th). It appears that past experiences where low temperatures and unstable humidity in the 12th lunar month led to poor fermentation have solidified into a superstition. Younger generations follow this just as the older generations do, meaning nearly every household avoids making paste during this month. Some residents even give up making it entirely if they miss the timing. Residents also attempt to tell their fortunes by the color of the mold on the soybeans. Some use soybean powder instead of whole beans or place orders with neighbors known for their skill. Meanwhile, factory-produced soybean paste and soy sauce are unpopular compared to homemade versions, even when offered at low prices. [ Feb 4, 2026. Daily NK / View Article: https://zrr.kr/iufORQ ]
▶ ▶ Prayer Topics
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)
It is said that despite the North Korean authorities' ban on superstition as contrary to socialism, the majority of our North Korean compatriots still follow it. Have mercy on the people of the North who, not knowing Jesus Christ—the Truth—live bound by superstitions and the groundless fears of evil spirits.
May the Kim Il-sung Juche ideology and the system of deification and idolization of the Kim family, which has been labeled as one of the world's top ten religions, come to a swift end. May the Gospel be spread to every corner of the North by the power of God, so that our North Korean compatriots may know Jesus Christ, be saved, and enjoy true freedom instead of following superstitions.
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