North Korea’s constitution promises “freedom of religious beliefs,” but everyone must worship the Kim family as if they are gods or face prison, torture, and execution. Besides Korea’s indigenous shamanism, Christianity was popular in Korea before the Korean War and its separation into North and South. After the war, North Korea’s approximate 3000 church buildings were destroyed or used for schools or other purposes. Christianity and the Bible are seen as the ultimate symbol of the West, the enemy of North Korea. Despite heavy persecution, Christianity was still popular, so Christians practiced in private. Those who were caught were executed. It is unknown if the current state-run churches actually have practicing Christians or if it is for show. There is a deep history of spirituality in North Korea. Despite the effort to completely channel it into worship of the Kim family, shamanism prevails. Despite anti-shamanism propaganda and the execution of fortune tellers, the government can’t dismantle the popularity of the religion. Fortune tellers are even welcomed by many high ranking officials. Everyone lives in fear and uncertainty, so the comfort of knowing one’s future is highly sought after. It is rumored that Kim Jong-Il had fortune tellers pick the dates he would travel.