News

US Sanctions Senior North Korean Officials Over Human Rights Abuses

December 11, 2018

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)’s 2018 Annual Report includes North Korea among its Tier 1 violators: “countries of particular concern,” where religious freedom violations are systematic, ongoing, and egregious. Please continue to pray that Almighty God would have mercy upon the Christians of North Korea, and that the steps that nation has recently been taking toward opening to the world would be sincere and far-reaching, and would include granting Christians an end to persecution, full rights, and religious freedom.

“US Sanctions Senior North Korean Officials Over Human Rights Abuses,” International Christian Concern, December 11, 2018:

12/11/2018 North Korea (International Christian Concern) – Despite a thaw in relations between the U.S. and North Korea, on December 10, as the world celebrated Human Rights Day, Washington announced sanctions will be imposed on three North Korean officials as it called the regime’s human rights record among the world’s worst.

The sanctions announced by the Department of the Treasury target Choe Ryong-hae, widely seen as the right-hand man of leader Kim Jong Un, given his position as director of the Workers’ Party’s Organization and Guidance Department….

If the three officials have any assets in the United States, the sanctions ask for the banks to seized them. Any US-based financial transactions is banned with them. Such restrictions may have little impact on officials who hail from the “Hermit Kingdom,” yet still sends a strong message as North Korea seeks acceptance from the U.S.

North Korea is notorious for its human rights violations, especially when it comes to religious freedom. Once found, Christians are detained, tortured, or even killed for their faith. Since 2001, the United States has continued to designate North Korea as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom.

Photo by Blue House (Republic of Korea), KOGL Type 1, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67097951