North Korean Defector Discusses Escape and Christmas Celebration

Il-yong Ju grew up in a small North Korean village where his family secretly celebrated Christmas by decorating a tree, unaware of its Christian origins due to the regime’s suppression of Christianity. Despite the risks, they listened to illegal South Korean radio broadcasts that introduced them to the gospel, inspiring Ju’s father’s escape to South Korea, followed by Ju and his family. After fleeing, Ju discovered the true significance of their traditions, realizing his grandfather’s intent to teach them about Christianity. Now in South Korea, he reflects on how these experiences shaped his understanding of faith, even connecting childhood chants to biblical stories.

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