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North Korea – Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25, each year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It's a significant cultural and religious holiday for billions of people worldwide.
While in many countries, Christmas celebrations are identified with parties and traditions, such as Christmas tree lighting and gift exchanges, there are some countries that prohibit Christmas celebration.
One of the countries that implements the strictest ban on Christmas celebrations is North Korea.
In this country with a Communist ideology, celebrating Christmas is considered a serious offense that can result in imprisonment or even the death penalty.
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This ban was implemented because the North Korean government prohibits its citizens from carrying out or celebrating any religious practices.
Kang Jimin, a North Korean defector quoted by The Independent, admitted that he did not expect Christmas when he lived in the capital Pyeongyang.
"Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ but North Korea is clearly a communist country so people don't know who Jesus Christ is. They don't know who their God is. The Kim family is their God," Jimin stated.
Trees decorated with Christmas baubles and lights can be found in Pyongyang, but they are there all year round and residents are unaware of the festive connotations they carry.
However, history records that North Korea was once a Christian country before the outbreak of the Korean War. In fact, many priests actually come from the northern region of Korea.
"About 60 years ago, North Korea was a very Christian country. People even called it the 'Jerusalem of the East'," Jimin remarked.
Until now, he believes, there are still North Korean people who secretly practice Christian teachings, even though they have to bear serious consequences if they are discovered.
“You can't say you're a Christian. If you do, they will take you to a prison camp,” he said.
“I heard there was a family who believed in God and the police arrested them. They are all now dead – even the children – 10 years old and seven years old.”
“My friend worked in the secret police and he told me that they arrested Christian families who were trying to convert,” he continued.
However, it should be noted that there are several Christian churches that are supported and controlled by the state in North Korea, but their form is very different from churches in general.
The North Korean Center for Human Rights Database (NKDB) estimates there are 121 religious facilities in the country, including 64 Buddhist temples, 52 Cheondoist temples, and five state-controlled Christian churches.
