Voice of Martyrs (VOM), an international missionary group, on Wednesday announced the publication of the first Bible translated into both English and the North Korean dialect.

The North Korean Bible is based entirely off of the Korean Christian Federation’s official publication, with only a few terms altered. The English version has been adopted from Wycliffe Mission Assist, the most readable and widely disseminated version.

VOM cooperated with not only Biblical scholars but also North Korean defectors and South Korean pastors.

“We didn’t create it for North Koreans, but with North Koreans. They asked us to make it, and we created it to meet their needs,” VOM founder Eric Foley said.

As footnotes, the newly published Bible includes explanations – in both languages – to help North Koreans teach themselves.

There are some linguistic differences between the South and North, making it difficult for defectors to comprehend the Bible, even among those who have attended church for nearly 10 years.

“Defectors will ask me something really unexpected, about parts that are not confusing for me at all, as I grew up and was educated in South Korea,” said Noh Hyun-min, pastor of Hana Church in Hanawon, the governmental organization for defector settlement.

VOM prioritized finding adequate words in the North Korean dialect.

“During the translation process, there were various North Korean words corresponding to the English. Defectors contributed a lot to matching them,” Heo Ju, professor of Asia United Theological University said.

The Bibles are already being sent into North Korea via balloon launches. Despite lots of controversy surround this method of bringing outside information into North Korea – some call it ineffective or even dangerous for Northerners caught with the materials sent in – VOM said it is most effective means and that it shows respect for North Koreans’ situations.

“In North Korea, even children are aware of the risks of possessing a Bible. Even socks, clothes or food are dangerous. People who pick up a Bible know that their choice is very risky, and probably (could cause them to be) executed,” Foley told NK News.

Foley highlighted the positive influence of Christianity, suggesting historical evidence that Christianity helped Koreans in their quest for an independent democracy.

“Like the early Korean Christians such as Cho Man-sik and Ahn Chang-ho, (North Koreans) reading Bibles could help promote the concept of freedom and human rights.”

He emphasized North Korean defectors’ roles in spreading the word into North Korea, particularly their experience and understanding of North Korean society.

“Eighty percent of defectors are communicating with their families and relatives in their hometown, and this channel hasn’t been used properly.”

The Bibles will be distributed for free to anybody working as a North Korean missionary and for defectors. VOM stated that they will spread Christianity not only via the written word but also via radio broadcasting and or MP3 files.

All photos: Ha-young Choi