Although the North Korean constitution, laws, and other legislation provide religious freedom, the International Religious Freedom Report for 2013 states that in practice, the North Korean government severely restricts religious  freedom.

Secretary of State John Kerry said in a press conference "Members of religious minorities are ripped from their families and isolated in political prison camps. They're arrested and beaten, tortured and killed. And we've seen reports that individuals have been arrested for doing nothing more than carrying a Bible."

The State Department has designated North Korea as a "country of particular concern" since 2001 under the International Religious Freedom Act.

Furthermore, it cited South Korean media reports that North Koreans were executed for religious activities.

The report also pointed out that although "the U.S. government has repeatedly raised its concerns about the state of human rights in the country, the country does not allow representatives of foreign governments, journalists, or other invited guests the freedom of movement that would enable them to fully assess human rights conditions."

SOURCE: YONHAP NEWS AGENCY