Tensions between North and South Korea
According to a report by Yonhap News, envoys from North and South Korea have reached a deal to end some of the most recent tensions that have plagued relations between the two countries. The agreement ends "marathon talks aimed at defusing tensions on the Korean Peninsula," the South Korean news agency reported. Most recently a standoff involving an exchange of artillery fire had pushed tensions between the rivals to a recent high.
CNBC.com August 24
Let’s pray for His peace between the two nations and that God will use the current tensions for good towards their eventual reunification.
North Korea
As we contemplate the situation in North Korea, we grow increasingly concerned on a number of fronts. For many months now, we have been praying for Canadian humanitarian workers, Kevin and Julia Garratt and American Peter Han being held in custody in China. We have also been praying for South Korean Pastor Jong-wook Kim and the two more South Koreans sentenced to life in prison as we reported last month. Now, we also add Canadian Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim to our prayers. Pastor Lim of the Light Presbyterian Church in Mississauga, Canada had failed to return from a humanitarian trip to North Korea in January. In March, the North Koreans confirmed that they had taken him into custody. Now, just a few days ago, they released a recorded statement from him and then on Thursday, July 30th, he was allowed to make a public appearance. It is clear that his confession has been coerced from him as has happened to so many others taken by the North Koreans. Our hope and prayer is that, having made a confession, he will be released soon.
Of course, our concern is not only for foreigners who have been taken captive by the regime but also the increasing ruthlessness demonstrated by Kim Jong Un. His reign of terror continues, surpassing either his father, Kim Jong Il, or his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in the number of high officials that he has had executed. Currently the list contains some 70 names. It is so bad that overseas North Koreans are fearing for their lives and many are seeking asylum. At home the list of people under heightened watch grows and more stringent censorship is being put in place including banning popular songs. In the midst of all this, Kim Jong Un seeks to bolster his own personality cult. He has put his sister, Kim Yo Jong in charge of the effort. Nevertheless, there is a spirit of resistance growing steadily at all levels of society from the elite to the street vendors who are speaking up as never before. It does not help him that he is also downplaying the previous leaders, cutting back on the honor given them.
On a more positive note, it appears that the worst of the drought is past and food production is picking up while fast food stalls are fast becoming ubiquitous…
As we pray for North Korea, I would like to draw your attention to "Adopt 815", a prayer movement focused on August 15th, Korean Independence Day. Each day, a short essay and prayer topic is sent out to subscribers. I should have alerted everyone to this last month and apologize for not doing so. But it is not too late. The daily prayer concerns include a lot of valuable information about North Korea…
In His Name,
Ben Torrey
Director
The Fourth River Project, Inc.
Pray for the liberation of the foreign captives inside North Korea as well as for the liberation of the North Korean people from the oppressive tyranny of Kim Jong Un and his regime.
