US Designates North Korea as a Country of Particular Concern for Religious Freedom for 21 Consecutive Years

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The U.S. Department of State has designated North Korea on its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations for the 21st consecutive year.

According to the State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement on the 2nd (local time) that "Burma (Myanmar), China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are designated as Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom."

Secretary Blinken explained that these 12 countries "have been involved in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom." The U.S. Secretary of State annually designates countries as Countries of Particular Concern or Special Watch List under the International Religious Freedom Act enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1998, identifying those where religious freedom is not properly guaranteed.

North Korea has been designated as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom for 21 consecutive years. Cuba and Nicaragua were newly included this year. Additionally, Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam were named on the Special Watch List. The Taliban, Al-Shabaab, IS (Islamic State), Boko Haram, and the Wagner Group were designated as entities of particular concern.

Secretary Blinken warned, "Individuals are harassed, threatened, imprisoned, and even killed because of their faith," adding, "Such actions sow seeds of division, undermine economic security, and threaten political stability and peace. The United States will not tolerate such abuses."

Earlier, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended in April that the State Department designate 15 countries, including North Korea, as Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom.