Father Raymond Lee Jong-nam during the baptism of 60 North Korean refugees at Banpo 4-dong Catholic Church in Seoul. (Photo by The Catholic Times of Korea)

Sixty North Korean refugees of all ages were baptized Catholics at a church in Seoul on June 18.

"Everyone here has wounds and pain. You came a long way and now you are newly born in God who cares and loves you endlessly. I wish you all have a new happy life," said Father Raymond Lee Jong-nam of Banpo 4-dong Catholic Church during the baptism.

In the months leading up to the baptism Father Lee taught the refugees on how to understand faith and about how to best maintain a spiritual life.

One of those who were baptized, Yang, said it was not easy for him to escape North Korea nearly two years ago.

"We are here for only one thing, love. I thank Father Lee for showing us deep love like our father and I will live this new life to the full in this church," Yang said.

Father Lee has long worked with North Korean refugees, assisting them in settling into their new life in the South. He believes that many of the newly baptized Catholics will one day go on to evangelize in North Korea.

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jong of Seoul sent a message and rosaries to those who were baptized.

"You all went through great pain and you starved for love," said the cardinal in his message to the North Koreans.

"I can only give them all the love I can give like a father and wish they live happy lives," Cardinal Yeom Soo-jong said.

Some of the North Korean refugees being baptized at Banpo 4-dong Catholic Church in Seoul. (Photo by The Catholic Times of Korea)

Since the North's 1994-98 famine, about 30,000 North Koreans who fled their country now live in Seoul, according to the South Korean government.

North Koreans who have fled their hard-line communist homeland are required to spend three months in Hanawon, a re-education center on the southern outskirts of Seoul. Instructors there give lessons on coping in a capitalist society. Protestant, Catholic and Buddhist groups have access to the center, holding regular services and offering food.

There are an estimated 300,000 Christians in North Korea with about 60,000 of them believed to be imprisoned due to their faith, according to Open Doors, an international ministry that tracks worldwide Christian persecution.