North Korea Faces Worst Drought in a Century

The North Korean government states that it is facing the worst drought in a century, severely affecting agricultural products during the main planting season. According to the Associated Press and the North Korean state news agency, the severe drought has dried up 30% of the country's rice paddies. A North Korean meteorological official stated on June 17 that "in recent months, our country has experienced severe drought and an increase in temperature, while rainfall has decreased. As a result of this drought, water resources for agriculture have diminished, and it is likely that this drought will continue for some time." This meteorological official noted that temperatures have risen by five to seven degrees compared to the normal temperature for this time of year. Both North and South Korea are facing issues of low rainfall and dry weather this year. South Korean officials reported that humidity and rainfall in North Korea during May were significantly lower than usual, and if the water shortage continues, food production in the country will drastically decrease. However, South Korean officials stated that based on the information available to them, they cannot confirm North Korea's claim of experiencing the worst drought in a century. Jin Howard, a spokesperson for the World Food Program affiliated with the United Nations in Rome, also stated: "North Korea is facing a water shortage for agriculture due to reduced rainfall, which will seriously impact agricultural production." According to her, the main planting season for agricultural products, especially rice, in June and July usually accounts for 90% of the total food supply in North Korea. She added: "We are concerned that if food production decreases significantly this year, malnutrition, especially among children, will increase." The report indicates that the water level of the Taedong River in Pyongyang has noticeably decreased. The United Nations reported in April that 70% of North Koreans face food insecurity, and more than a quarter of children in the country suffer from chronic malnutrition. According to the UN report, the North Korean government still prevents thorough monitoring of food aid delivery and distribution by the international community, and at the same time, international sanctions against its nuclear and missile programs have added to the obstacles and problems for the transfer and distribution of food aid in the country. Due to political pressures related to North Korea's nuclear activities, the volume of international aid has decreased in recent years. The United Nations has requested $111 million in its recent report to provide food aid to North Korea, the lowest amount since 2009. The Associated Press report states that North Korea experienced a severe famine in the 1990s, with some estimates indicating that several hundred thousand people lost their lives. Meanwhile, it seems that the occurrence of this famine somewhat reduced the government's comprehensive control over the country's economy and paved the way for a type of free economic activity and non-state market.