On top of the widespread abuses experienced by the North Korean people, North Korean women continue to be an especially vulnerable target of abuse. The Human Rights Watch states that "in detention facilities, security personnel have subjected women to rape and other sexual violence. Human traffickers and brokers, often linked to government actors, subject women to sexual exploitation and sexual slavery in China, including through forced marriage."
Over 50% of the 2,400 North Korean women in South Korea are sold as slaves or forced into prostitution. Many women leave North Korea hoping to eventually return to back to their country with money for their livelihood and families. However, upon their return, these women are forced into small compartments (20 women per compartment) where they are given sitting room only. Female returnees are put through hard labor and torture, and given no toiletries like toilet paper or sanitary pads. Almost every woman who crosses the border and then returns (if they are not ugly or handicap) goes through sexual harassment. Because of this, many of these women suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).*
"Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me . . . My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, 'Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.' But I call to God, and the Lord will save me." Psalm 55:1-2, 4-8, 16
Father, we pray on behalf of the women in North Korea who have no voice and are exposed to the exploitation of ruthless men and many who live with long-term effects of abuse. Hear our pleas for mercy for them! Bring these women to a saving knowledge of Yourself and rescue them so they may be at rest. We call to You, God, and ask you to bring resurrection life to their bodies and redeem their souls.
In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
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*Cornerstone Ministries