According to foreign media reports, an acute food shortage in North Korea, considered one of the world’s poorest and most isolated countries, is causing a humanitarian crisis with many residents dying of hunger. The country, which has a population of approximately 26 million people, has been unable to produce enough food to sustain its citizens.
Poverty and hunger have plagued North Korea’s population for decades, dating back to the reign of Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un. The situation has worsened since January 2020 when the country closed its borders to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, resulting in limited grain imports.
Recent reports from the BBC indicate that numerous families in remote villages across North Korea are experiencing starvation and death due to the scarcity of food. Despite this dire situation, the North Korean regime has prioritized the development of its nuclear program, diverting attention and economic resources away from addressing the food crisis.
In 2022 alone, North Korea reportedly launched 63 ballistic missiles at a cost exceeding $500 million, surpassing the amount spent on importing grain for an entire year. The closure of the border with China in January 2020, due to the pandemic, halted the importation of rice, grains, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment crucial for crop production.
Experts argue that this decision dealt a devastating blow to North Korea, leading to a rise in poverty and malnutrition among the population. Although Kim Jong Un, the country’s current leader, has acknowledged the need to take measures to alleviate the food shortage and promote agricultural development, the situation has yet to improve significantly.
Reports from the BBC recently revealed firsthand accounts from North Korean residents, citing instances where entire families have perished due to lack of food in some villages. This echoes the severe poverty and famine experienced by North Korea from 1994 to 1998, during which over 240,000 North Koreans lost their lives.
Experts warn that the current situation bears resemblance to that past catastrophe, but accurate information on the current state of affairs in North Korea remains elusive due to restrictions imposed on foreign media.
