This week, tens of thousands of defectors celebrate escaping North Korea. South Korea is the only country in the world to celebrate such a holiday. July 14 marked the first nationwide Defectors’ Day and it was celebrated by 34,000 North Koreans who made the death-defying journey to South Korea.
The sounds of freedom rang out with clapping, cheering, and a thunderous tempo from massive traditional drums.
South Korea gives automatic abode and eventual citizenship to any North Korean who makes it to South Korea. Christians play an active part in resettlement programs that help educate North Koreans how to live in a modern society, how to use everything from mobile phones to electricity and indoor plumbing. North Koreans are given housing, a stipend, and even shown how to open up a bank account.
Esther, a BTJ missionary who was thrown in prison and tortured for planting churches in North Korea is active in helping refugees that escape. She has been assisting North Koreans who have escaped for more than twenty years. The unbelievable story of how God miraculously helped her survive prison in North Korea can be found in the eye-opening book SMUGGLING LIGHT.
