State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2010 - Democratic People's Republic of Korea

North Korea is almost entirely homogeneous with regard to ethnicity. While freedom of religion is recognized under domestic law, according to USCIRF 2009, 'genuine religious freedom does not exist'. In an August 2009 report on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the UN noted that, 'In reality, religions are seen as unwanted competition for the cult-based indoctrination based upon the 10 principles for unitary ideology preached by the regime, which deifies the leadership at the top in a pseudo-theocratic manner.'

USICRF 2009 recorded that between 150,000 and 200,000 prisoners were being held in remote camps on religious grounds, and that in May 2009:

'Reports continue to indicate that the North Korean government has taken new steps to combat the growth of clandestine religious activity, particularly that which reportedly is spread by cross-border contact with China. According to the testimony of North Korean refugees, anyone engaged in such activity can be arrested, tortured, and imprisoned.'

In February 2009, the UN cited reports it had received that:

'security agents from the National Security Agency (bowibu) and the public security agency (anjeobu) have stepped up their surveillance and infiltration at borders in order to halt religious activities, even posing as pastors or setting up fake prayer meetings to entrap new converts. Those who seek refuge in other countries and who contact missionaries are liable to be punished severely if sent back.'