The isolated, communist nation of North Korea remains a top Open Doors' World Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted. The list indicates the "Top 50" worst persecuting countries in the world according to the intensity of persecution Christian face for actively pursuing their faith.

A specially-designed questionnaire is used to compile it, which contains 49 questions. The questions cover various aspects of religious freedom, differentiating between the legal, offical status of Christians.

There was no change in the deplorable lack of religious freedom in Stalinist North Korea. The current dictator, Kim Jong Il, is known to allow the citizens of North Korea no other loyalties. The government of this country is known to use violence to crush opposition.

The regime still runs the main politico-labour camps where about 200,000 prisoners are held. Tens of thousands of them are Christians, imprisoned for their faith, who face torture, starvation and death in the camps.

According to the local co-workers, the number is increasing as the high number of North Korean refugees being arrested in China are returned and sent to labour camps.

Many became Christians after they received support from Korean and Chinese missionaries and were tortured or killed when their contacts with Christians were discovered.

Saudi Arabia held the second spot on the list, followed by Laos, the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and Iran. Other countries listed in the Top 10 are Turkmenistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma) and China.

Nowadats, an estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer persecution for their faith in Christ. The Open Doors strengthens persecuted Christians in the world's most difficult and dangerous areas through training, literature distribution, community development and personal encouragement.