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“Now we have to check again to see that there isn’t anything that looks like a cross.
AFP GETTY
AFP GETTY
North Korea has been named the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.
“And if young women carry key chains or wear earrings that have designs resembling a cross, these are also taken away.”
GETTY
GETTY
It’s believed there are 300,000 Christians in North Korea with defectors claiming four church buildings in the capital of Pyongyang are used as showpieces by the authorities.
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Government officials are confiscating items with crosses on labels and raiding shops for the markings.
In a bizarre move, students have even been told to be careful how they write the mathematical plus sign in case it is mistaken for a crucifix.
Clothing and hair clips are also being inspected by Kim Jong-un‘s regime which is opposed to organised religion.
One trader, based in capital Pyongyang, told Radio Free Asia: “We’ve always had to make sure there were no Korean characters on the labels of products that we brought in from China.
“Some designs on women’s clothing can look a lot like a cross, depending on who is looking at it.
“Cross designs also appear on women’s hairpins and hair bands and on men’s neckties.
“These products are more likely to be confiscated during customs checks.”
AFP GETTY
Kim Jong-un’s despotic regime is said to reserve its harshest punishments for Christians
AFP GETTY
North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un also banned piercings and Western-style clothes
Kim Jong-un’s despotic regime is said to reserve its harshest punishments for Christians, with believers facing arrest, torture, imprisonment and death.
The crackdown extends to Chinese sweets which are sometimes shaped like the letter X.
Traders say they cannot argue with customs officials.
One trader, based in North Hamgyong province, said: “If customs officers confiscate these products, insisting the shape looks like a cross, we have nowhere to complain.
It’s estimated 70,000 Christians are currently in prison or labour camps in North Koreabecause of their faith.
Many are forced to worship in secret and risk torture and death to do so.
GETTY
There are a number of church buildings in Pyongyang which defectors say are used as showpieces
GETTY
The cross, a symbol of Christianity, has been banned from products in North Korea
Under the country’s strict class system Christians are classed as “hostiles” receiving less food and harsher punishments.
The crackdown on items including clothes and accessories comes after Kim Jong-un banned piercings and Western-style clothes.
North Koreans are also expected to style and cut their hair in a regime-approved style and there are restrictions on dress.
A spokesman for Open Doors said the Christian advocacy charity will continue to work inside the secretive country despite efforts to stamp out Christianity by Jong-un’s regime.
The charity worker said: “Despite Christianity being strictly forbidden Open Doors estimates there are 200,000 – 400,000 Christians who worship in secret inside North Korea.
“Open Doors works to support the church in North Korea by supplying persecuted believers with emergency relief aid such as food, medicines and clothes. Open Doors also distributes books and other Christian materials and provides training through radio broadcasting.”
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