International Prayer Day for North Korea and Korean Unification

A conference and international day of prayer for North Korea and Korean unification takes place from 1.30 - 6.30pm this Wednesday, 25th October 2017, at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, London.

Organiser Timothy Cho writes: "Darkness covers the entire society of North Korea. October 10th 2017 marked the 69th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of North Korea. The entire system is controlled by the one party-state, represented by the Kim family, who in turn represent the nation. The party portrays itself as 'a Mother of the Country'. However, its atrocities suggest it is more of a 'murder machine', as at least 3.5 million people have lost their lives under the regime.

"The regime has survived through merciless, coercive and oppressive policies of killing and torture. Access to information from sources within North Korea or abroad is completely blocked - the population's eyes are covered and their ears are blocked. Freedom of speech, and of religion or belief, are banned. Movement is also restricted, as permission must be obtained from authorities in order to travel from one area to another.

"Some may ask whether there is any hope for North Koreans. To many it would appear there is none at the moment. This tragedy will continue if we close our eyes and ignore what is happening in North Korea today.

"God, in His love, has not abandoned this country. Christians from around the world surround, support and love North Koreans. God's light, love, renewal, strategy and wisdom is the hope for unity and peace for the whole Korean peninsula, with an end to the suffering of North Koreans.

"By gathering and praying together at this International Day of Prayer we move closer to the liberation and peace of Korea."

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).

The afternoon will begin with a welcome and introduction Lord Alton, who will also give the first address entitled: 'What Korea's Past Can Teach Us In Its Present Crisis.

Speakers will include Lord Alton, Timothy Cho, Zoe Smith from Open Doors, Pastor Cho Dae-Hee, Baroness Smith, Fiona Bruce MP from the UK All Party Parliamentary Group On North Korea and Benedict Rogers.

Lord Alton has served at Westminster in both Houses for almost 40 years. He was a founder of the All Party Group on North Korea and is its Co-Chair. He has visited the country four times and wrote the book "Building Bridges: Is there hope for North Korea?" www.davidalton.net

Timothy Cho endured much suffering in his life as a homeless person in North Korea and he deems it a privilege to now live in a democratic society. Since coming to the UK, he has achieved what would have been impossible in North Korea - a BA degree in International Relations & Politics and an MA in International Relations, Politics & Security. Timothy is passionate to see transformation in North Korea, including reunification with the South.

Zoe is Head of Advocacy at Open Doors UK and Ireland, specialising in campaigning for the right to freedom of religion or belief. She focusses particularly on Iraq, Syria, North Korea and Nigeria. In 2014, Zoe coordinated a Parliamentary Inquiry on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief into persecution in North Korea. The inquiry culminated in the report Religion and Belief in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which includes witness accounts of the horrific human rights abuses suffered by religious and belief minorities in the country.

Pastor Cho Dae-Hee taught International History as a high school teacher in North Korea. Now living in South Korea, he is currently leading Hanaro Church in Seoul. His ministry focuses on North Korean refugees in South Korea. His congregation also serves underground Christians in North Korea through the provision of medicine, clothes, mini- Bibles, food and finance. Since 2002, he has held the position of National Security Lecturer in South Korea, speaking to the military, churches, prisons, schools and universities. Pastor Cho's advocacy for the persecuted Christians in North Korea has extended to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States.

Baroness Smith of Newnham is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords and a member of its International Relations Committee. Professionally, she is Director of the European Centre in the Department of Politics and International Relations, Cambridge University, where she teaches and writes on the European Union and the UK's relations with the EU.

Fiona Bruce MP is a lawyer by background and has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for Congleton since 2010. She is a Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea and the Chairman of the Conservative Party's Human Rights Commission.

Benedict Rogers is a human rights activist and writer. As East Asia Team Leader for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), he specialises in Burma, Indonesia, North Korea and China. In addition to authoring six books and several major reports, Ben regularly briefs senior Government ministers and officials from the UK, EU, UN and USA on human rights and freedom of religion or belief in Asia. In 2010, he travelled to North Korea with Lord Alton and Baroness Cox and in 2011 he co-founded the International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK).

Linda Stalley will act as the moderator for the conference, alongside Timothy Cho. She is part of the leadership of the Maranatha Community, which has been deeply committed to praying for and speaking out on behalf of the persecuted church since its inception.