(AgapePress) - North Korea has replaced Saudi Arabia as the country where Christians are most severely persecuted.

According to the "World Watch List" published by Open Doors, growing reports of severe oppression in North Korea have confirmed what many believers have said for years -- that the communist dictatorship of Kim Jong II is intent on eradicating all belief systems other than the worship of Kim himself and his now-dead father.

The dictator is following in the footsteps of his father, who also attempted to purge the land of Christians.

However, the church has survived in North Korea. Christian refugees escaping North Korea's famine have told of small house churches in rural areas.

Such churches rarely number more than ten people, often including only family members for security precautions. According to one refugee, a house church of 20 to 30 people simply disappeared in 2000.

Maranatha Christian Journal reports that the top spot on the list had been held for years by Saudi Arabia. The report notes that the Saudi Kingdom sees itself as the guardian of Islam and the cities of Mecca and Medina, both considered sacred cities by Muslims. Saudi Arabia requires all its citizens to be Muslims, and any Saudi citizen who converts from Islam faces the death penalty for apostasy.

The Bother Andrew-funded Open Doors helps Christians in other countries who are persecuted for their faith.

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