North Korea faces critical food crisis

North Korea is experiencing a critical food prices according to expertise predictions, as official media outlets reported that North Korean top officials are expected to meet at the end of February to discuss a “fundamental change,” according to Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Wednesday.

In a meeting addressing senior leaders in 2021, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated that “the people’s food situation is now getting tense” with the agricultural sector failing to meet its grain targets.

Jong-un further continued that it is hard to determine the current situation in Korea due to the closed nature of the economy and country.

However, satellite imagery from South Korean authorities shows that the North produced 180,000 tonnes less food in 2022 than in 2021, as food prices have increased and citizens started turning towards cheaper alternatives, 38North.org said.

A North Korean magazine based in Japan; Rimjin-gang has also reported that corn prices increased with 20% at the start of 2023. A kilogram now costs about 3,400 North Korean won ($3.80).

In June, the World Food Programme (WFP) has raised concerns that extreme weather may reduce production of both winter and spring crops, while South Korea’s Unification Ministry has also warned of food shortages and asked WFP for help.

Early this month, North Korea has shown its largest display ever of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

Sokeel Park, South Korea country director in non-profit Liberty in North Korea (Link), criticized the state’s priorities; mentioning its directing resources towards propaganda and military might shows; which in return have high social costs.