The North Korean government has substantially increased security along its northern border, using Covid-19 as the justification, further restricting travel and trade, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch’s current in-depth analysis focuses on a part of the border covering 7.4 kilometers around Hoeryung city on the Tumen River, across from China’s Jilin province. In 2019, the area around Hoeryung was already almost fully fenced and had five watch towers. Images taken in April 2022 show that, since then, authorities have built another 169 guard posts, 9.2 kilometers of new secondary fencing, and 9.5 kilometers of improved primary fencing.
The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing
(Isaiah 51:3)
Heavenly Father, we ask for your righteousness for the people in North Korea. Let the North Korean authorities ought to feel ashamed of their foolish behavior in focusing only on strengthening control to maintain the system even though the lives of the people have already fallen into disaster. May North Koreans in need be supplied with the things they need to survive, and above all, let the gospel be preached so that all desolate places in North Korea are restored and the joy of knowing God overflows.
We pray in Jesus Name, Amen.