According to a recent International Religious Freedom Report by the US State Department, a two-year-old child in North Korea has been given a life sentence in prison, along with their entire family, after the parents were discovered with a Bible. The names of the individuals involved have not been disclosed. This harsh punishment was imposed under the regime of dictator Kim Jong-un.

Persecution of religious individuals in the country is not an isolated incident. In a tragic case dating back to 2011, a Christian woman and her grandchild were executed by firing squad due to their religious beliefs. Additionally, other individuals have been subjected to a cruel form of torture known as pigeon torture. This method involves immobilizing victims by tying their hands behind their backs and their legs together, and then suspending them from the ceiling for prolonged periods, often lasting several days.

According to a testimonial from a survivor, the experience of pigeon torture was described as excruciatingly painful, so much so that the individual contemplated death as a preferable option.

In addition to pigeon torture, individuals have been subjected to various other methods of torture, including sleep deprivation. In a tragic incident in 2020, a woman in solitary confinement was pushed to the point of suicide as prison guards denied her the basic necessity of sleep.

Disturbingly, even a member of the ruling party faced dire consequences when it was revealed that they possessed a Bible. This individual was publicly executed, witnessed by an audience of approximately 3,000 people.

Estimates suggest that since Kim Jong-Un assumed power, as many as 70,000 Christians, out of a potential 400,000, have been imprisoned solely due to their religious beliefs. This highlights the widespread persecution faced by Christians in North Korea under this regime.

Since Kim Jong-Un assumed power, an estimated number of 70,000 Christians, out of a potential 400,000, have been imprisoned on the basis of their religious beliefs.

While North Korea's constitution asserts to safeguard religious freedom for its citizens, and there are several churches present in Pyongyang, the capital city, which the regime presents as evidence of its acceptance of the Christian faith, the recent report strongly criticizes these churches as being mere "showpieces for foreigners."

According to a defector's account, individuals could face arrest for lingering near places of worship, listening to music emanating from inside, or repeatedly driving past them.

Korea Future, an NGO, revealed that school-aged children in North Korea were subjected to false teachings, including claims that Christian missionaries were involved in heinous acts such as rape, blood-sucking, organ harvesting, murder, and espionage.

According to a defector's account shared with Korea Future, the North Korean government published graphic novels depicting scenarios where Christians would entice children into churches and then take them to basements to extract their blood. These disturbing narratives were aimed at indoctrinating a negative perception of Christians among the younger generation.

Moreover, it is not only Christians who face persecution for their beliefs in North Korea. Individuals practicing shamanism constitute the majority of persecution cases in the country. The punishments for practicing shamanism range from six months of forced labor in camps to three or more years in reeducation facilities.