In its Annual Reporton Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State labeled North Korea -along with China, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnamas‘ Countries of Particular Concern’ that do not have freedom of religion. In order to become a part of the globalization world, North Korea should change its religion policy to ensure the freedom of religion for its people. A country that guarantees freedom of religion would never force its people to believe or not to believe in a certain religion. In order for North Korea further strengthen its collaboration with other nations around the world, freedom of conscience and religion should be guaranteed as the basic rights for its citizens. For successful reunification of North Korea and South Korea to be attained, internal unification should happen first before any legal or systemic unification. In order for internal unity to be fulfilled, collaborative integration of North and South should be achieved in every area of society including politics, economics, and culture. Most importantly, unification of religion can play a critical role in restoring true unity of North and South through reconciliation and forgiveness. Until now, North Korea established religious groups and institutions and partially allowed religious activities with the political intention to advertise itself as a nation with religious freedom. Until 1988, North Korea’s religion policy was hostile and persecutory in character. However, since 1988, North Korea gradually moved into a more positive direction that was manifested in changing laws on religion and definition of religious vocabularies in encyclopedias. Furthermore, by attempting to integrate the juche ideology and religion, North Korea intended to take steps necessary to guarantee individual’s religious freedom. Instead of being forced by external pressure, now is time for North Korea to walk side by side with other nations by independently pursuing religious freedom. North Korea should abandon their misconception of Christianity as anticommunism and antigovernment system. From the past exchange between South and North Korea and the humanitarian aids by Christian organizations, North Korea has to recognize that Christianity is the most genuine supporter of North Korea. Instead of labeling religion as a threat of a regime collapse or a leadership change, North Korea has to utilize religion as a tool to connect the people and the government. Furthermore, churches in South Korea have to acknowledge North Korean church as a church existing in a unique culture and environment. Churches in South Korea have to play an important role as a mediator between North and South Korea so that the two nations can be in good terms with one another and that the freedom of religion will be guaranteed in North Korea.

• 김원곤(삼육대, 목회학) | Kim Won Gon