| Are things getting any better in North Korea? Yes, in | | | | - Even children who are caught and returned are |
| some ways. But we're not ready for a "Weight | | | | considered criminals, not victims. |
| Watchers" program there yet. The crisis is far from | | | | - 10-11 million still do not have enough to eat. |
| past. | | | | - 6.5 million are chronically malnourished. |
| The Amnesty International Report of 2005 cites the | | | | - Food rations actually declined from 2003 to 2005. |
| following human rights situation in Chosun. Always | | | | There was enough being given out in '03 to give |
| remember that what is happening to the population | | | | every person 319 grams of food per day. That |
| at large is happening to your Christ-filled brothers and | | | | shrunk to 250 grams in '05. |
| sisters too. You'll soon see it is no time to stop | | | | - Food can be bought at privatized markets, but the |
| praying for them. | | | | cost is many times higher than the government issue. |
| My condensation of the report: | | | | Many urban families spend up to 85% of their income |
| - Public executions continue. Those who proselyte or | | | | on food. |
| practice in the underground church are some of the | | | | - The number of children whose growth has been |
| victims of these executions. | | | | stunted from malnutrition lessened from 42% in 2002 |
| - Anyone seen to be in disagreement with the | | | | to 37% in 2005. |
| government faces severe punishments. | | | | - Acute malnutrition is down from 9 to 7 percent. |
| - Access to international media denied to most | | | | - Underweight children aged 1-6 has risen by 2% . |
| citizens. TV and radio receivers are set to | | | | - One third of NK's moms are malnourished. |
| government channels. | | | | - There have been alarming reports about increases |
| - Reporters who so much as misspell a senior | | | | of maternal mortality rates. No numbers given. |
| executive's name can be punished. | | | | - Lack of access to clean drinking water and poor |
| - Christians, just because they are Christians, can be | | | | sanitation continue. |
| put in labor camps. | | | | The question always comes back to the richest and |
| - In the prison camps, torture is common. | | | | most prosperous believers on the planet at present: |
| - Prisoners found communicating can be beaten with | | | | What shall we do? My answers are still forming for |
| iron bars. | | | | me and my house. Present activities combined with |
| - Cold water, even in freezing weather, can be | | | | some future plans respond to this huge need. |
| poured on a prisoner or he can be subject to forced | | | | Perhaps God will speak a plan into your life? What if |
| intake of water. | | | | tens of thousands of God's people responded, and |
| - Repatriated refugees (sent back from China when | | | | showed the world what Christ does when people |
| caught) have been imprisoned, tortured, and/or | | | | hurt? |
| executed. | | | | |