Since 2004, Korean Church Coalition (KCC) for North Korea Freedom, has facilitated 38 prayer vigils in the US and South Korea on behalf of North Korean refugees in China. KCC is comprised of 3,000 Korean Pastors and millions of Korean Americans.

Recently on Tuesday, April 1, 48 KCC members, including businessmen, doctors, lawyers, and pastors, gathered at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles to draw attention to the treatment of North Korean refugees and kick off a series of prayer

KCC’s Executive Director, Sam Kim stated, “We hope that China will finally open its ears and eyes and realize that they have a legal and moral obligation to protect and safeguard the human rights of the refugees residing within their borders.”

There are a total of six Chinese consulates in the US today - in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. Prayer vigils have already begun at two consulates. The vigils at the San Francisco Chinese Consulate will be held every Friday.

According to Open Door (www.od.org), a watchdog for international Christian persecution, North Korea has ranked number one as having the most horrible treatment towards Christians for the past six years, including 2008. Among the 300,000 North Korean refugees presently in China, it is believed that some may have fled as Christians due to the harsh persecution they face in their own country.

Through the prayer vigils, Kim says KCC is making three requests to the Chinese government

1. Grant refugee status to the North Korean refugees
2. Stop enforcing repatriation among the North Korean refugees
3. Allow the North Korean refugees a safe passage to a third country that would permit them to safety, protection, and resettlement.

Korean Americans all across the US are encouraged to participate in the prayer vigils and join with KCC in their mission. Church groups and Christian organizations are also encouraged to support this cause and persist until matters change.

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