In a bold display of defiance against Kim Jong Un's ban on Christmas, activists from the North Korea Freedom Coalition have taken to tossing presents into the Yellow Sea, hoping they will wash up on the shores of the hermit kingdom. Despite the brutal restrictions on religion, these activists seek to spread the holiday spirit among Pyongyang's impoverished citizens.

Filled with rice, a $1 US bill, and a flash drive containing Bible verses, bottles were thrown into the sea by members of the human rights group. Suzanne Scholte, the organization lead, stressed the importance of getting information into North Korea "by land, by sea, and by air" to show the people in power that they have friends and allies in Korea and America.

The flash drives included recorded messages from several members of Congress, such as Reps. Michael McCaul and Gregory Meeks, as well as Sens. Jim Risch and Tim Kaine. These messages described the significance of Christmas and its connection to North Korea's history. The recordings highlighted the once vibrant Christian community in Pyongyang that earned the city the title of a Holy City in 1907. However, under Kim II Sung's rule, the worship of the one true God was suppressed, and many Christian leaders were persecuted and killed.

Celebrating Christmas or any other religious festival openly in North Korea is considered highly hazardous. North Korean defector Kang Jimin revealed that Christmas is virtually unknown in the country, where the Kim family is revered as gods and Christianity is repressed.

Christians in North Korea are forced to practice their faith in secret, with an estimated 400,000 Christians in the country. Shockingly, around 17% of these believers are believed to be imprisoned, according to the charity Open Doors. Given North Korea's estimated population of around 26 million, these figures shed light on the harsh reality faced by religious minorities under the regime.

The activists' efforts to bring Christmas cheer to the people of North Korea serve as a reminder of the resilience and determination to ensure that hope and freedom are not completely extinguished in the face of oppression. While the ban remains in place, the tossing of presents into the Yellow Sea is a symbolic gesture, reaching beyond the borders of North Korea to let its citizens know that they are not forgotten.

As the holiday season approaches, these acts of defiance may provide a glimmer of hope for those living under the repressive regime, reminding them that there are people fighting for their freedom and longing to share the blessings of a free life.