Passing North Korea

I walked past the Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea yesterday afternoon, the official residence of its ambassador to the United Kingdom. It was a fairly ordinary looking house, and well away from the centre of London on a residential street in Ealing. From here, that distant land can communicate and make representations to His Majesty’s Government. In 2016, sadly, one of its diplomats defected from this house, and the others were allegedly summoned home and shot as a consequence. Even worse is the fate of those who live in North Korea, especially any followers of Jesus Christ, who are cruelly persecuted. Its Supreme Leader is somewhere between a Communist dictator, medieval feudal overlord and ancient god-king in terms of authority and the obedience he demands from his people.

This is the closest I hope to ever get to North Korean territory. I took my photo and then my leave, praying for 50,000-70,000 of my brethren who languish in that country’s concentration camps.

Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest. Lamentations 5:5

       D