UN: Famine and Hunger in North Korea are Worsening

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has warned that food production in North Korea has decreased for the first time in six years, threatening to worsen the famine and hunger situation for its residents. According to the FAO, the total production in 2015 was 5.4 million tons, including soybeans, grains, legumes, and potatoes. Compared to the previous year, production has decreased by at least half a million tons. Reuters quoted the FAO stating that North Korea is short of nearly 400,000 tons of grains and legumes, marking the worst shortage since 2011/2012. This new estimate comes a year after warnings of the 'worst drought of the century' in North Korea were issued. Severe rainfall deficits and drought affecting a large portion of rice paddies are among the problems threatening the residents of North Korea. In addition, Pyongyang is under severe international sanctions, which complicates access to food for ordinary people through international aid. Over the past year, North Korea has faced a new wave of sanctions due to its recent nuclear and missile tests. The United Nations stated last year that 70% of the population faces 'food insecurity,' and more than a quarter of children suffer from chronic food poverty. The FAO has noted that there has been some increase in soybean production, which is the main source of protein in the country and widely used in Korean cuisine. In another report, the Yonhap news agency in South Korea, citing officials from its intelligence agency, reported that one-fifth of North Korean restaurants abroad have also closed. These restaurants are considered a primary source of foreign currency for Pyongyang, estimated to generate nearly $10 million annually for North Korean leaders. Financial issues have been cited as the reason for the closures. This report surfaced after news of a group of restaurant workers fleeing from a restaurant in China to South Korea was published. In recent years, unverified reports have emerged of people resorting to cannibalism due to widespread famine and hunger in North Korea. However, these reports are difficult to verify due to the severe restrictions on independent media access to news sources in the country and have often been published only by media outlets supportive of ruling parties in Japan or South Korea.