North Korea is home to fewer Catholics than almost any country in the world. Diocesan statistics suggest only Muslim-majority Afghanistan, the Maldives, Somalia and Turkmenistan have smaller numbers of practicing Catholics. After his disappearance, Francis was named bishop of Pyongyang until his death was finally acknowledged by the Holy See in , although nothing is known of his demise. Of the few hundred Catholics believed to remain in North Korea today, most are thought to be survivors from the pre-Communist era. Debate continues over whether they are genuine believers or actors working in the name of the state.
One member of the visiting delegation last week lived in Pyongyang more than 15 years ago as an aid worker when he would go to the Catholic cathedral unannounced and find people worshipping there, said Prove. Park was not available for comment. The Seoul Archdiocese, which acts as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Pyongyang, believes Catholic activity in North Korea represents little more than a show for foreigners amid criticism over religious persecution, said spokesman Stephany Sun.
Last May, Seoul Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung visited Kaesong, an industrial park jointly run by the two Koreas north of the demilitarized zone, in the first visit by a cardinal to North Korea. But he was not able to meet any Catholics and has never been able to go to Pyongyang. Speculation suggested the cardinal's trip was preparation for Pope Francis to go to the north as part of his landmark trip to South Korea in August However, the pontiff was unable to make any contact with the north.
The government even refused an invitation to send Catholics to a reunification Mass in Seoul Cathedral. Every move on religion made by the North Korean government is based on tactical efforts to generate diplomatic leverage with the outside world, said Jang Jin-sung, a former propagandist for the government.
As a state official until he defected to South Korea in , Jang worked for the United Front Department, an intelligence office that staged religious activity in North Korea a bid to appease the outside world, he said. United Front Department operatives study Christian terminology in Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang, and then set up Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist operations in the interests of the state, he added.
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Revolution and Revival: Ideology and Faith in North Korea
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Engaging North Korea | American Friends Service Committee
Till death do us part: Catholics helped to find perfect partner Nov 1, Corruption in the church must be stamped out continually, pope says Oct 31, When it comes to relationships, Pyongyang tries to instil "love for revolutionary comrades" over romance, but people reject it. North Korea was going through a lot of dramatic changes during my 20s.
Due to economic difficulties following the famine, the national borders had started to become more porous and western culture was starting to make its way in. We pretended to have that quality only because we were forced to. She was a girl who went to the same high school who was a little younger than me. Her parents were good, close friends with mine.
She was also friends with my younger sister. But, despite our good relationship, she ended up joining the military and I was left behind. I met my second girlfriend through a mutual friend and, to my surprise, she asked me out. Looking back on those days I have absolutely no regrets and I loved my second girlfriend dearly. In my high school days when I was highly sentimental, my fellow students and I would go on dates in the park only when it was completely pitch black outside.
In this kind of environment, we had no choice but to see each other hidden behind the trees or in basements of apartment blocks late at night — or among others at group events like birthday parties. But when you graduate from high school, there is less reason to be secretive. At this age, couples go on to spend a lot more time together without having to care about about what other people might think.
Dates at theatres, parks and even on the benches at the square right in front of Kim Il-sung were all possible! When I lived in Pyongyang, the best place to meet girls was at the social club.
- Watch and wait.
- State Paper Says China Would Protect a Denuclearized North Korea.
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In North Korea, social clubs were hosted for the masses, and for the young generation on holidays. Big club meetings and dance parties took place at numerous places, including Kim Il-sung square. Guys dressed up to go to the dance parties and they would always be thrilled and excited about the events.
And it was here, as you can probably guess, that many young men and women would meet. If she liked the guy and if she was single, she would give him her phone number.