From North Korea comes another witness to the reality of life there. Lifetime? Not all the time? Of course not? But this man was there. He saw firsthand things that should not be seen in our world. He is not trying to “smear” a nation, just to let the West understand that something must be done.

He is Kim Tae Jin, and he comes to us through China, North Korea, China again, North Korea again (this time through the prison system, including the well-known Yodok), China again, Mongolia, Seoul. And that’s just the outline of his story.

His father was a Chinese military man, so he started there. But he and his Korean mother returned to North Korea in 1961 when he was five years old. He went through the standard education system, got a job, all in South Pyong-an province. At the age of 30, already an adult, he decided to visit his family in China. There he was arrested and forced to return home.

Then he went through the other North Korean “education” system, where one learns even more. The lessons are about fearing and then hating the government, although that is certainly not what is intended. First, there is torture at the “People’s Security Agency” near Chongjin. Four months later, more torture at the “National Security Agency.” He was eventually accused of treason due to his family visiting.

And the torture? According to this eyewitness (and who can know better?) Beatings. Sleep deprivation. Forced to kneel or sit motionless for hours. It is not allowed to wash, therefore, fleas, lice. Subzero temperatures in jail cells.

Then to “university,” if I may continue to use the analogy. The “Zone of the Revolutionary Process” in Yodok. Four years six months. A forced labor camp. Help the body. Helps the mind. Not only that, all this free labor helps keep North Korea’s economy barely afloat. corn crop. Cut trees into firewood. Making furniture. Serving the whims of the government.

So what’s wrong with farm work for a prisoner? Hey, after 8 months of confinement as described, that’s what the inmates above think at first. “I can move!” But food is scarce, and it was even before the famine rations of the mid-90’s. To survive, you have to eat plants, grass, rats, snakes, frogs. People around her starve every week. He is personally witnessing the public executions of those who try to escape. Heartbeats still enduring. Sitting and standing exercises until he can barely sit up.

Four long years and a half. But at least now free at last. Happy? No. His wife has to report him. it is the rule Report and divorce anyone suspected of treason or supporting you and you can be punished yourself.

Five more years. Finally she must leave this cruel land. To China. To Mongolia. Seoul in 2001.

I tried to warn you. It’s not nice. Let’s bring the name of Kim Tae Jin to the Father tonight, along with all the other Tae who are still in Yodok, Hoeryong, Chonjin and everyone else. How powerless we feel. But let us continue to believe that God is working in all this, having his perfect will. And as Mary said to the servants in Cana: “Whatever He tells you, do…”

Say the word, Lord. And give us your grace to obey it.