“More often than not, these women are sold to impoverished Chinese men living in poor conditions,”

representative Foley explains.

“Because they are not living in China legally and the men who bought them are afraid they may be returned to North Korea if caught, these women are often denied medical care. They are often struggling with multiple illnesses that have been left untreated for some time, making them even more susceptible to new illnesses.”

One sex-trafficked woman to whom Voice of the Martyrs Korea had ministered, for example, had been sick with a respiratory infection for so long that it had torn a hole in her lungs.

According to a Voice of the Martyrs Korea ministry partner who works with sex-trafficked women in North-East China (an area in which, according to John Hopkins CSSE, there have been more than 100 confirmed cases of the virus), many of these women cannot even buy masks.

“The nation (China) is on high alert for coronavirus. In most areas that are at risk for the virus, the government has temporarily blocked the railways and roads. The authorities forbid people from gathering. We all worship in our homes. At this time, China needs peace from our Lord since many of us are seized with fear. We urgently need masks so that we can share with the North Korean women here.”

Voice of the Martyrs Korea is raising money to purchase masks and other basic necessities for these women and their families.

“If we receive more funds than we need for the masks, we will use it to help NK sex-trafficked women in our overall ministry to them,”

representative Foley explains. Voice of the Martyrs Korea provides medical care, clothing, and discipleship needs to these women regularly.

Churches and individuals interested in making a donation to support these North Korean sex-trafficked women can do so according to the methods listed on the VOMK website at vomkorea.com/en/donation. Please be sure to indicate “North Korea” on your donation. The deadline for donations is February 29.