Celebrating Christmas In This Country Could End In The Death Penalty, What's The Reason?

Christmas tree illustration. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - For many people in the world, Christmas is synonymous with cypress trees, gifts, spiritual songs, and family togetherness. But in North Korea, celebrating Christmas can actually lead to imprisonment, forced labor, and even the death penalty. In the world's most closed country, Christmas is not just prohibited, but is considered a serious threat to the country.

North Korea is known as an athetic country with very strict state control, especially against religion. All forms of religious practice outside government-approved are considered illegal. Christianity including Christmas celebrations are classified as Western influences that have the potential to damage the country's ideology.

In North Korea, the state ideology places Kim's family as the center of the people's absolute loyalty. Any religion that teaches faith to God is considered contrary to the system. As a result, celebrating Christmas directly related to the birth of Jesus Christ is seen as a subversive act.

North Korean defector Kang Jimin said during his life in Pyongyang he had absolutely no idea what Christmas was.

"There is no Christmas in North Korea. I don't know what Christmas is," Kang said, quoted from the website of The Independent.

'Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, but North Korea is a communist country. People don't know who Jesus is. They also don't know who God is. Kim's family is their Lord," he continued.

This ignorance is not a coincidence, but the result of the government's total censorship of information, media and the internet.

For North Koreans who still dare to practice religion secretly, the risk is very large. Many reports state that residents caught praying, having a Bible, or celebrating Christmas can be caught by secret police.

"You can't say you're Christian," Kang said.

"If you say it, you will be sent to prison." he added.

He also revealed a terrible story about a Christian family caught by the authorities.

"They all eventually died, even their children, aged 10 and 7 years," he explained.

According to Kang, the family was interrogated, tortured, and deliberately left starving to force them to provide information about the underground Christian network.

Ironically, North Korea has several state-recognized Christian churches. However, the function of these churches is not for the worship of local residents, but as a propaganda tool for foreign visitors.

"Ordinary residents are almost impossible to go there," said Kang.

The church was created so that the government could tell the world, 'Of course we have a church. We are a free country,' he added.

A foreign visitor even noted that the worship at the church looked like a play, the same congregation, perfect singing, and the atmosphere felt unnatural.

Interestingly, on December 24, which is known to the world as Christmas Eve, is actually celebrated in North Korea as Kim Jong-suk's birthday, Kim Jong-un's grandmother. This celebration is completely legal and must be followed.

Kim Jong-suk's birthday is celebrated. People gather, drink together, and party, "said Kang.

This shows how symbols and religious celebrations are replaced by worship of state leaders.

Even so, various international reports estimate that there are still hundreds of thousands of Christians in North Korea who secretly maintain their faith. They pray in secret at home, without a church, without loud songs, without Christmas trees and of course without gifts.

"If anyone celebrates Christmas in North Korea, the number is very small. There is no Christmas tree or gift. The celebration is based on prayer and is carried out in a hidden manner." said Michael Glendinning, Director of the Korea Connect North organization.