Jeffrey Fowle

North Korean defectors living in Seoul, South Korea sing a hymn during a prayer service for peace and reunification of the divided Korean Peninsula in April 2013.

Repressive, atheist North Korea has a surprising relationship with Christian missionaries

North Korea is one of the most repressive countries on earth, with almost no freedom of religion. But Christian missionaries, it turns out, have a long history with the country. And a number of them are even allowed to operate there today.

Repressive, atheist North Korea has a surprising relationship with Christian missionaries
A Christmas'tree' just south of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas in Gimpo, west of Seoul as seen on December 21, 2010

South Korea pulls down a huge Christmas tree that stood on its border with the North

South Korea pulls down a huge Christmas tree that stood on its border with the North
U.S. citizen Matthew Todd Miller sits in a witness box during his trial at the North Korean Supreme Court in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 14, 2014.

No one really knows why a young American was sentenced to hard labor in North Korea

No one really knows why a young American was sentenced to hard labor in North Korea
People attend a mass rally against "U.S. Imperialists" at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang June 25, 2014.

Two Americans went to North Korea as tourists — now they're both going on trial for 'hostile acts'

Two Americans went to North Korea as tourists — now they're both going on trial for 'hostile acts'