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RELIGIONUPDATED 24 OCT 2026

The worst place on earth to be a Christian

The constitution promises freedom of religion. In reality, the only faith allowed is loyalty to the Kims - and owning a Bible can send a whole family to a camp.

FaithHistory
Faith

What is allowed

#1
Open Doors World Watch List
Ranked the worst country for Christians, 2025. Source
0 / 4
Religious freedom score
Freedom House, 2023. Source
5
Churches in Pyongyang
State-run - widely seen as showpieces for foreign visitors. Source
1
Mosque
Inside the Iranian embassy. Source
History

Before the Kims

"Jerusalem of the East"
Pyongyang's old nickname
Before 1945 the city was a centre of Christianity in Asia. Source
~800
Chondoist churches
A native Korean faith the state tolerates, 2007. Source
60
Buddhist temples
Kept mostly as cultural relics, not places of worship. Source
Article 256
Of the criminal code
Punishes "superstitious" practices with labour camp. Source

More inside North Korea

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Sources

Where this comes from

Figures are public estimates and may be dated - North Korea publishes almost no statistics.