The ultimate surrender of Japan finally came. The Empire was crushed and humiliated. Koreans were ecstatic, and rushed into the streets to celebrate. What glory! What joy! Their longtime enemy defeated! One could hear Christians raising up praises to God, singing hymns loudly that they had been forbidden to sing at all. Worship, witness, all restored after 35 long years of oppression.

But from the North, not the East, came the next blow. Due to a decision made far from Korea by persons definitely not Korean, the land of Chosun was to be divided into two parts, "temporarily." The Soviets would be asked to supervise activities in the northern part of the country, and America would restore order to the southern section.

Naive American policy placed a division line roughly half way down the peninsula that has remained to this day. The Soviets decided they would not leave, not at least until they had a government established that resembled Moscow. In 1948, two separate Korean governments were formed, and the persecution began in the North, where Christ had made the largest inroads.

Five million people, many of them believers, got out of the "paradise" before it could turn into the chaos that would evolve over the decades. At least in the South the President seemed to be a Christian, and there they would worship freely. Then, nearly 60 years ago, the curtain closed. Christian blood began to flow freely. The persecution has continued until now.

Many thousands of Christ's followers were killed and/or placed in forced labor camps. And unlike in the Japanese occupation, the goings-on became very private. Even now, not too many people know what is happening in North Korea. A few have escaped and reported to us. In weeks to come we will share more of their stories, Lord willing.