North Korean officials have invited best-selling author and Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren to preach to at least 15,000 people in the communist country, a spokesperson from Warren's Saddleback Church confirmed July 5.

The spokesperson told Associated Baptist Press that Warren is expected to speak during the week of July 10. The exact itinerary for Warren's trip is still undetermined. Warren was unavailable to comment.

Warren's trip comes at a time when tensions between North Korea and the United States are extremely high. A country famous for its religious persecution, North Korea fired a seventh medium-range missile July 5, but it malfunctioned soon after launch. The action, which drew international protests, prompted an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Japan is considering calling for sanctions against North Korea, according to Associated Press reports.

Warren acknowledged his trip could be used by the Korean government for propaganda or further persecution, but he said it is worth the risks.

Warren first announced his Korea trip July 2 to worshipers at his Southern California church, the largest Baptist church in the nation. He told the congregation the Korean visit will be part of a nearly 40-day international tour, during which he will meet with government leaders and pastors in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Rwanda and South Korea.

Associated Baptist Press

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