North Korea is the number one country for Christian persecution in the world. But recently Christians in neighboring South Korea found an ingenious way to share the gospel those facing persecution to the North.
Christians from South Korea are involved in a special mission to get Scripture into the hands of North Korean Christians, and that mission involves specially-designed balloons.
The balloons are filled with pages of Scripture and can hold the entire book of Mark. The South Koreans then drive to the border of North and South Korea–the demilitarized zone, fill the balloons with helium, and launch them, which, if the weather is right, will float into North Korean territory.
The initiative is known as Operation Dandelion. A South Korean Christian identified as Peter who is involved in the project said, “We started this project back in 1991, and just as a dandelion needs the wind to spread its seeds, we need the wind to spread the message.’
He added, “It’s almost impossible to get Bibles into North Korea, so using balloons is one of the most effective ways to share the gospel.”
“By sending these balloons, we let our North Korean brothers and sisters know that we are praying for them and the scriptures on the balloons are meant to encourage them.”
North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians according to the World Watch List.
Christians are forced to hide their faith completely from government authorities, neighbors and often, even their own spouses and children. Due to ever-present surveillance, many pray with eyes open, and gathering for praise or fellowship is practically impossible.
Worship of the ruling Kim family is mandated for all citizens, and those who don’t comply (including Christians) are arrested, imprisoned, tortured or killed.