North Korea

Christian Friends of Korea (CFK)

Christian Friends of Korea seeks to minister in the name of Christ to the people of North Korea, one of the few openly Christian organizations that has gained access into that country. It was founded by a group of former Presbyterian missionaries to Korea and their children. CFK brings humanitarian assistance in the form of food, medicine, agricultural supplies, bedding and blankets, medical equipment and supplies, and other needed goods to hospitals and other facilities. Importantly, they regularly confirm delivery and distribution of all goods sent. They also assist with technical projects and respond to specific requests as they are able. LCPC member Paul Folta (who was raised in Korea in a missionary family) was invited to go with CFK in 2002 to help set up donated X-ray equipment in a TB hospital in North Korea.

Member Paul Foalta with Christian Friends of Korea in North Korea

In recent days, with all that is going on in the news regarding the political and diplomatic tension between our nations, some have asked why CFK does this work in North Korea. Their response is simple: “As followers of Christ, we must obey his command to feed the hungry and heal the sick. (Matthew 25: 31-46). We have a rare opportunity to minister to those who are suffering in North Korea, we confirm delivery of what we send, and we learn of new needs each time we visit. As long as we are able to do these things, and God provides the means for us to help through His people, we will continue in these efforts.”

Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church has supported CFK since 2000. In 2003 we designated a portion of our gift to provide a special kind of corn seed that produces well in mountainous regions in dry and poor soils. We saw it as a far-sighted project that would address the recurring famine in that part of North Korea.

Heidi Linton, executive director of CFK, visited LCPC in 2001.

You can learn more about Christian Friends of Korea at the CFK website.

Statistics: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Area: 46,540 sq. mi.(about the size of Pennsylvania)

Population: 23,154,000

Capital: Pyongyang

Religion: Buddhist, Confucianist

Language: Korean

Literacy: 99%

Life expectancy: 71 years

GDP per capita: $1,000

Statistical information from the National Geographic Family Reference Atlas of the World (2002).