North Korean defectors and members of the South Korean church gathered on June 21 at Saejoongang Church in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, for the 2025 Pan-Korean Reunification Festival, a time of worship and prayer centered on the dream of reunification through the gospel. The event was jointly hosted by the North Korea Christian Association (led by President Rev. Seo Kyung-hwa) and the Global Mission United Training Center TMTC (chaired by Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim).
The event was a time of encouragement and comfort, uniting defectors, North Korea-focused missionaries, and Christians who have long prayed for reunification to share their hope for unity in Christ. Under the themes “The Road We’ve Walked,” “A New Beginning, A Path of Challenge,” and “The Road of Mission,” North Korean defectors presented testimonies, performances, youth arts presentations, praise, and drama. Key speakers included Rev. Cho Bong-hee (Missions Pastor at Global Village Church), former Minister of Unification Kim Ha-joong, and Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, a Canadian pastor who was previously detained in North Korea.
Former Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong shared how, during his tenure as South Korea’s ambassador to China, he facilitated the safe arrival of 1,760 North Korean defectors to South Korea. “I served as ambassador to China beginning in 2001. In 2002, 25 North Korean defectors entered the Spanish Embassy in Beijing—just one day before the Spanish prime minister was scheduled to visit China,” Kim said.
“This incident caused a global media uproar, and soon defectors began entering the South Korean Embassy as well. However, due to lack of cooperation from Chinese authorities, we were unable to assist them initially,” he explained. “There was even an incident where a father and son attempted to enter the embassy together, but while the son made it safely inside, the father was caught by Chinese security and repatriated to North Korea. The physical struggle between embassy staff and Chinese police was broadcast by international media outlets.”
He continued, “Eventually, I and other South Korean embassy officials entered into negotiations with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and we secured an agreement allowing defectors who entered the embassy to be sent to South Korea via a third country. After that, an average of 100 defectors entered the embassy daily.”
Kim said, “The embassy building became a shelter for defectors, and staff had to conduct their work in the hallways because it was so overcrowded. At the time, I prayed daily, asking God to allow me to help 1,000 defectors before my term ended. As an answer to that prayer, I was able to help 1,760 North Korean defectors relocate to South Korea during my six-year term.”
He also shared, “Since 1995, I had been praying every day for the rescue of North Korean defectors in China. Over time, that added up to about 10,000 prayers. My prayer was that the hearts of the Chinese people would soften, and they would allow defectors to safely reach South Korea.”
Addressing skepticism about reunification, Kim stated, “Some hold a pessimistic view, but reunification could come suddenly and under God’s sovereign timing—far beyond what we expect. The foundation for reunification is unity: unity between North and South, and especially healing internal division within the South.”
He emphasized, “You must pray for reunification. Just before or just after reunification, Korea will become a G7 nation, and reunification will happen suddenly.”
Kim declared, “North Korean defectors are like Joseph in the book of Genesis—sent ahead to South Korea as part of God’s great plan for gospel-centered reunification. After reunification, these defectors will return to the North to help rebuild the Church. They are chosen by God for this mission.”
Earlier in the event, Rev. Cho Bong-hee (emeritus pastor of Mokdong Global Village Church) preached a sermon titled “Expect the Sudden Grace” (Acts 12:5–7). “In Acts, King Herod Agrippa persecuted the early Church. He executed James and imprisoned Peter. Yet the Church prayed earnestly,” Cho said, noting that Eugene Peterson’s The Message Bible translates it as “prayed strenuously.”
He continued, “Just as the early Church prayed fervently for Peter’s release, we must pray fervently for reunification through the gospel. The same passionate prayer brought sudden judgment on Herod, who, according to the historian Josephus, died of acute colitis five days later.”
“Acts 12 is a powerful narrative of united prayer,” Cho said. “I believe that when we pray with urgency and fire for gospel-centered reunification, God’s grace will come suddenly. As much as we pray, God will work. A single prayer can unleash miraculous wonders. I believe our prayers will spark the sudden work of gospel reunification.”
Rev. Chang-ho Lim, founding president of the North Korea Christian Association and former professor at Kosin University, announced plans for the 2025 Seoul World Conference on North Korean Human Rights, scheduled for October 22–25 at the Press Center and other venues in and around Seoul. He asked for intercessory prayer in preparation.
During the event, artist Janet Hyun completed a live painting of an eagle flying while carrying a key. “When we forget God’s mission for us, we live like eagles trapped in a chicken coop,” she said. “But when we recover God’s calling for reunification and mission, we will soar again like eagles.”
Finally, Rev. Seo Kyung-hwa, chair of the North Korea Christian Association and president of the 2025 Pan-Korean Reunification Festival, stated in his welcome remarks, “North Korean defectors are not irrelevant or helpless wanderers in God’s kingdom. In South Korea, they are the forerunners of reunification, partnering with the Church and the nation to lead in unity.” He added, “Gospel-centered reunification is part of God’s plan for our people. Let us pray and prepare together.”
Originally published by Christian Daily Korea, translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff.
