3 North Koreans Provide a Glimpse of North Korea’s Worsening Economic Situation
2 years, 8 months ago

3 North Koreans Provide a Glimpse of North Korea’s Worsening Economic Situation

The Diplomat  

Locals report increasing starvation deaths and disappearances among their neighbors, but Pyongyang is most concerned with preventing the harsh reality from souring planned celebrations. North Koreans have recently begun facing a worsening economic situation, evidenced by reports that people are starving to death even within the country’s major cities. Recently, Daily NK sought to catch a better glimpse of North Korea’s recent economic situation through interviews with three ordinary North Koreans. The three North Koreans interviewed by Daily NK – an individual in his 50s from Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province identified by his family name of Ri; an individual in his 30s from Pochon County, Yanggang Province identified by his family name of Pak; and an individual in his 40s from Chasong County, Chagang Province identified by his family name of Kim – said that since the border closure, people who used to live day-by-day have been “dying one after the other.” Ri said tragedy has struck his neighbors. The three North Koreans all said the authorities are responding to starvation deaths by stressing “self-reliance.” Kim said the authorities have tasked one person per four homes, or one person per each “harmonica housing unit” with conducting morning inspections.

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History of this topic

North Korea and Russia agree to expand their economic cooperation
1 month ago

North Korea and Russia agree to expand their economic cooperation

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, the North’s state media said Thursday, as they continue to align in the face of their confrontations with Washington. Kozlov, who arrived in North Korea on Sunday, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his …

North Korea fascinates many people. For South Koreans, its threat is just part of life
3 months, 3 weeks ago

North Korea fascinates many people. For South Koreans, its threat is just part of life

ABC  

It is a somewhat standard Thursday lunch at Oh Young Seok's restaurant near the border of South Korea and North Korea. It appeared to be North Korea "expressing extreme hostility toward the leaflet campaigns and to highlight the adversarial stance against South Korea". "We feel the threat from North Korea has increased over the past several months and especially after …

North Korea scraps all economic cooperation with South Korea
10 months, 2 weeks ago

North Korea scraps all economic cooperation with South Korea

The Hindu  

North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly has voted to scrap all agreements signed with South Korea on promoting economic cooperation, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Thursday, February 8, 2024, as the two Koreas' relations continue to deteriorate sharply. The tours to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border were a symbol of an economic cooperation that …

Thousands of North Korea defectors reveal what it’s really like to live in Kim Jong-Un’s isolated state
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Thousands of North Korea defectors reveal what it’s really like to live in Kim Jong-Un’s isolated state

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The majority of North Koreans who resettled in South …

North Korean, Russian officials discuss economic ties as Seoul raises labour export concerns
1 year ago

North Korean, Russian officials discuss economic ties as Seoul raises labour export concerns

The Hindu  

Senior North Korean economic officials met with the governor of a Russian region along the Pacific coast for discussions on boosting economic cooperation between the countries, North Korean state media said on December 13. The official Korean Central News Agency said North Korean officials led by the country’s External Economic Relations Minister Yun Jong Ho met with the delegation led …

North Korean and Russian officials discuss economic ties as Seoul raises labor export concerns
1 year ago

North Korean and Russian officials discuss economic ties as Seoul raises labor export concerns

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — Senior North Korean economic officials met with the governor of a Russian region along the Pacific coast for discussions on boosting economic cooperation between the countries, North Korean state media said Wednesday. The meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, came as concerns have grown in South Korea that the North may be attempting to expand its …

North Korea confronts a modern-day challenge: a declining population
1 year ago

North Korea confronts a modern-day challenge: a declining population

NPR  

North Korea confronts a modern-day challenge: a declining population Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP SEOUL, South Korea – Last week, an unusual array of vivid colors filled the seats at a North Korean political event. According to a study by the South Korean government think tank Korea Institute for National Unification, North Korea's birth rate already fell behind …

North Korean leader calls for women to have more children to halt a fall in birthrate
1 year ago

North Korean leader calls for women to have more children to halt a fall in birthrate

LA Times  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un applauds during the National Mothers’ Meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Dec. 3, 2023. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said it is a duty of women to halt a fall in the country’s births in order to strengthen national power, state media said Monday, as his government steps up the call for …

3 Takeaways From the North Korea-Russia Summit
1 year, 3 months ago

3 Takeaways From the North Korea-Russia Summit

The Diplomat  

On September 13, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un met and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome – a spaceport located in the Amur Oblast in Russia’s Far East region. His delegation included Pak Thae Song, chairman of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, which develops artificial satellites, and Navy …

UN: North Korea is increasing repression as people are reportedly starving in parts of the country
1 year, 4 months ago

UN: North Korea is increasing repression as people are reportedly starving in parts of the country

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Volker Türk told the first open meeting of the …

North Korea is a land of stories that don’t often get told. Here are some that did
1 year, 5 months ago

North Korea is a land of stories that don’t often get told. Here are some that did

Associated Press  

With a U.S. soldier crossing the border into North Korea at the border town of Panmunjom and in custody this week, talk turns to the nation itself — a country that is known for its suspicion of outsiders but also rejects frequent descriptions of it as reclusive. — Yes, canned soup may be fueling North Korea’s air force. — North …

Families in North Korea ‘starving to death’ due to lack of supplies – report
1 year, 6 months ago

Families in North Korea ‘starving to death’ due to lack of supplies – report

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Families in North Korea are …

Behind North Korea’s Efforts to Monopolize Its Food Supply
1 year, 7 months ago

Behind North Korea’s Efforts to Monopolize Its Food Supply

The Diplomat  

Recently there have been reports from inside North Korea that a ban on the sale of rice and corn has been implemented in some parts of the country. News of the ban, which took effect in January, emerged as the North Korean government has moved to monopolize the country’s food supply, most prominently through the establishment of state-run food shops …

Is North Korea facing its worst food crisis?
1 year, 9 months ago

Is North Korea facing its worst food crisis?

The Independent  

Kim Jong Un wants to strengthen his control over North Korea’s agriculture in order to increase grain production, according to state media reports. South Korea’s spy agency has said North Korea needs 5.5 million tons of grain to feed its 25 million people each year. open image in gallery Kim Jong Un has suggested tighter government control over grain During …

Is North Korea fighting a food crisis?
1 year, 9 months ago

Is North Korea fighting a food crisis?

Al Jazeera  

As leader Kim Jong calls for agricultural improvements amid reports of a worsening food crisis, we speak to an expert about the challenges the country is facing. North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has ordered agricultural improvements amid reports from outside the country of a worsening food crisis. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged officials to meet agricultural …

N. Korea wants more control over farming amid food shortage
1 year, 9 months ago

N. Korea wants more control over farming amid food shortage

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to strengthen state control over agriculture and take a spate of other steps to increase grain production, state media reported Thursday. “If authorities view markets negatively, they can’t be properly recovered.” Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul, said the latest North …

North Korea’s Kim says ‘nothing impossible’ amid agriculture push
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea’s Kim says ‘nothing impossible’ amid agriculture push

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged officials to meet agricultural production targets amid reported food shortages, declaring “nothing is impossible” under the leadership of the ruling Workers’ Party. Kim said during a ruling party meeting on Wednesday that officials should concentrate on meeting grain production targets “without fail”, increasing yields at all farms and eradicating “internal factors that …

North Korea's Kim Jong Un chairs agriculture conference amid serious food shortage
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea's Kim Jong Un chairs agriculture conference amid serious food shortage

India Today  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened a major political conference dedicated to agriculture, state media reported Monday, as outside assessments suggest the country is facing a serious shortfall of food. Monday’s report didn’t elaborate on its agenda, but the party’s Politburo said earlier this month that “a turning point is needed to dynamically promote radical change in agricultural development.” …

North Korea’s Kim orders ‘radical change’ in agriculture
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea’s Kim orders ‘radical change’ in agriculture

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a “radical change” in agricultural production amid concerns over reported food shortages in the isolated country. Kim, the third generation of his family to rule secretive North Korea, made his remarks less than a week after South Korea’s Unification Ministry said its northern neighbour appeared to be facing a “grave” food …

North Korea holds rare meeting on farming amid food shortage
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea holds rare meeting on farming amid food shortage

Deccan Chronicle  

SEOUL, South Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened a major political conference dedicated to agriculture, state media reported Monday, amid outside assessments that suggest the country is facing a serious shortfall of food. South Korean experts estimate that North Korea is short around 1 million tons of grain, 20 percent of its annual demand, after the pandemic disrupted …

North Korea holds rare meeting on farming amid food shortage
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea holds rare meeting on farming amid food shortage

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened a major political conference dedicated to agriculture, state media reported Monday, amid outside assessments that suggest the country is facing a serious shortfall of food. South Korean experts estimate that North Korea is short around 1 million tons of grain, 20 percent of its annual demand, after the pandemic …

N. Korea food shortage worsens amid COVID, but no famine yet
1 year, 9 months ago

N. Korea food shortage worsens amid COVID, but no famine yet

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — There’s little doubt that North Korea’s chronic food shortages worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and speculation about the country’s food insecurity has flared as its top leaders prepare to discuss the “very important and urgent task” of formulating a correct agricultural policy. Its specific agenda is unknown, but the party’s powerful Politburo earlier said that …

North Korea chronic food shortage worsens amid COVID-19, but no famine yet
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea chronic food shortage worsens amid COVID-19, but no famine yet

Firstpost  

It is difficult to know the exact situation in the North, which kept its borders virtually closed during the pandemic. Food shortages and economic hardships have persisted since a famine killed estimated hundreds of thousands of people in the mid-1990s Seoul, South Korea: There’s little doubt that North Korea’s chronic food shortages worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and speculation …

North Korea food shortage worsens amid Covid, but no famine yet
1 year, 9 months ago

North Korea food shortage worsens amid Covid, but no famine yet

India Today  

There’s little doubt that North Korea’s chronic food shortages worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and speculation about the country’s food insecurity has flared as its top leaders prepare to discuss the “very important and urgent task” of formulating a correct agricultural policy. Its specific agenda is unknown, but the party’s powerful Politburo earlier said that a “a turning point …

North Korea’s Kim breaks ground for housing, farm projects
1 year, 10 months ago

North Korea’s Kim breaks ground for housing, farm projects

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un attended groundbreaking ceremonies for new housing and farming projects, which are part of his push for domestic achievements as the country’s economic isolation deepens amid his defiant pursuit of nuclear arms. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim broke ground Wednesday for the construction of a huge …

North Korea ‘reduces food rations for troops’ for first time in 23 years
1 year, 10 months ago

North Korea ‘reduces food rations for troops’ for first time in 23 years

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy North Korea’s severe food crisis …

North Korea party meeting set to discuss ‘urgent’ food issue
1 year, 10 months ago

North Korea party meeting set to discuss ‘urgent’ food issue

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has scheduled a major political conference to discuss the “urgent task” of improving its agricultural sector, a possible sign of worsening food insecurity as the country’s economic isolation deepens amid a defiant nuclear weapons push. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Monday that members of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Politburo met on …

South Korea offers North economic benefits for denuclearisation
2 years, 4 months ago

South Korea offers North economic benefits for denuclearisation

The Hindu  

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol offered “audacious” economic assistance to North Korea on Monday if it abandons its nuclear weapons program, while avoiding harsh criticism of the North days after it threatened “deadly” retaliation over a COVID-19 outbreak it blames on the South. North Korea insists leaflets and other objects flown across the border by activists spread the virus, …

North Korea’s economy shrinks for second straight year: BOK
2 years, 4 months ago

North Korea’s economy shrinks for second straight year: BOK

Al Jazeera  

GDP shrinks an estimated 0.1 percent as border closures and lockdowns hinder industrial activity and trade with China. North Korea’s economy shrank for a second straight year in 2021, according to estimates by South Korea’s central bank, as pandemic restrictions and international sanctions deepened the reclusive state’s isolation. The North’s economy shrank an estimated 0.1 percent last year, the Bank …

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un vows to boost military, maintain virus curbs
2 years, 11 months ago

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un vows to boost military, maintain virus curbs

India Today  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his military capability, maintain draconian anti-virus measures and push hard to improve the economy during a speech at a key political conference this week, state media reported Saturday. KCNA said the plenary meeting set forth “tactical directions” for North Korea’s external relations including with South Korea, but didn’t elaborate. There …

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un warns of ‘very giant struggle’
3 years ago

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un warns of ‘very giant struggle’

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country must be prepared for a “very giant struggle” next year to continue to make progress in areas including defence, agriculture and construction, state media reported on Thursday. Kim said that while the country still faces economic difficulties, the party has had success in pushing to meet policy targets and implementing …

Sustainability and Survival: North Korea’s Struggle With Climate Change
3 years, 1 month ago

Sustainability and Survival: North Korea’s Struggle With Climate Change

The Diplomat  

North Korea is at a crossroads. In the report, North Korea recognizes that “continued natural disasters by flood, drought, typhoon and heat wave have affected severe impacts on the people’s life and health and economic development” while lamenting the country’s exposure in recent years “to negative impacts such as reduction in agricultural production, destruction of agricultural infrastructure, degradation of soil …

As North Korea’s economy flounders, hints of easing isolation
3 years, 1 month ago

As North Korea’s economy flounders, hints of easing isolation

Al Jazeera  

There are tentative signs that the ‘Hermit Kingdom’ may relax borders following a devastating collapse of trade with China. After almost two years of near-total isolation due to what the world now knows is COVID-19, there are signs that Kim Jong Un’s secretive regime may be taking tentative steps toward loosening controls as the country grapples with severe economic deprivation …

North Korea releases wartime rice reserves amid food crisis
3 years, 4 months ago

North Korea releases wartime rice reserves amid food crisis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy North Korea has released military …

Reports of people ‘starving’ as N Korea struggles to feed itself
3 years, 5 months ago

Reports of people ‘starving’ as N Korea struggles to feed itself

Al Jazeera  

Seoul, South Korea – United Nations Security Council sanctions, the COVID-19 closure of its border with China, and a 2020 drought followed by typhoon rains are combining to create severe food shortages in North Korea, with concerns growing about widespread malnutrition and a potential repeat of the country’s 1990s famine. “Agriculture everywhere in the world relies on oil … It’s …

Food crisis in North Korea: Coffee retails over Rs 7,000, Bananas for Rs 3,300 per kg
3 years, 6 months ago

Food crisis in North Korea: Coffee retails over Rs 7,000, Bananas for Rs 3,300 per kg

India Today  

A severe food crisis has hit North Korea where prices of essential food items have increased sharply, according to state-run news agency Korean Central News Agency. "The people's food situation is now getting tense as the agricultural sector failed to fulfil its grain production plan due to the damage by typhoon last year," said Kim Jong-un. Read | Kim Jong …

Kim Jong admits North Korea running out of food as packet of coffee costs $100
3 years, 6 months ago

Kim Jong admits North Korea running out of food as packet of coffee costs $100

Live Mint  

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un has admitted that the country is witnessing a severe food crisis. In a recent meeting, Kim acknowledged the grim situation and said North Korea's food supply is strained and "getting tense", according to a report in CNN. Recently, United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that North Korea is short of approximately 860,000 tons …

Kim Jong Un says North Korea faces food crisis due to flooding
3 years, 6 months ago

Kim Jong Un says North Korea faces food crisis due to flooding

Live Mint  

Kim Jong Un said his country’s food situation is getting tense, an acknowledgment of the continuing challenges inside North Korea following a year of major flood damage, pandemic shutdowns and ongoing sanctions. Kicking off a plenary session of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, Mr. Kim urged the country’s leaders to resolve food shortages resulting from lower agricultural output that he …

NKorean leader calls for meeting to review battered economy
3 years, 6 months ago

NKorean leader calls for meeting to review battered economy

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But he also said there was a need to correct “deflective matters” and called …

Kim Jong Un bets on riverfront property to boost North Korea’s economy
3 years, 6 months ago

Kim Jong Un bets on riverfront property to boost North Korea’s economy

Live Mint  

In North Korea’s capital, the prime riverfront property went untouched for decades. The next five years would include radical development, Mr. Kim said in a recent letter to the ruling party’s youth members, pledging to create a “prosperous socialist country in which all the people enjoy happiness.” In many regards, the economic metrics can only go up. Cross-border trade with …

Sanctions and food shortages raise fears of North Korean famine
3 years, 7 months ago

Sanctions and food shortages raise fears of North Korean famine

The Telegraph  

North Korea is under “mounting economic pressure” as food shortages and sanctions hammer the secretive dictatorship, analysts have warned. The warning from ratings agency Fitch comes after the totalitarian state’s supreme leader Kim Jong-un said the country faced its “worst ever situation” and raised the spectre of the Nineties famine which killed almost 3m people. Although North Korea is not …

Kim compares North Korea’s economic woes to 1990s famine
3 years, 8 months ago

Kim compares North Korea’s economic woes to 1990s famine

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for waging another “arduous march” to fight severe economic difficulties, for the first time comparing them to a 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands. Chinese data show North Korea’s trade with China, its biggest trading partner and aid benefactor, shrank by about 80% last year following North …

Kim compares North Korea’s current economic woes to searing 1990s famine
3 years, 8 months ago

Kim compares North Korea’s current economic woes to searing 1990s famine

LA Times  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for waging another “arduous march” to fight his country’s severe economic difficulties, comparing them for the first time to a searing 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people. North Korea monitoring groups haven’t detected any signs of mass starvation or a humanitarian disaster, but publicly drawing a parallel with the …

Kim says last five years ‘worst of the worst’ for North Korea
3 years, 11 months ago

Kim says last five years ‘worst of the worst’ for North Korea

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader admits the country’s economic development plan has fallen short in ‘almost all areas’ as rare party congress opens. North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un admitted the country’s economic development plan had fallen short in “almost all areas” as he opened a rare congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, state media reported on Wednesday. On the first day …

Kim opens North Korean congress by admitting policy failures
3 years, 11 months ago

Kim opens North Korean congress by admitting policy failures

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted that his economic development plans have failed as he opened the nation’s first full ruling party congress in five years, state media reported Wednesday. Kim, 36, is holding the congress, which is expected to last a few days, amid what may be the toughest challenge of his nine-year rule …

‘Severe test’: As North Korean economy tanks, Kim needs solutions
3 years, 11 months ago

‘Severe test’: As North Korean economy tanks, Kim needs solutions

Al Jazeera  

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un will likely seek fresh impetus for driving growth at a ruling party congress in January after the pandemic added to the pain of sanctions that leave him with a smaller economy than the one he took over nine years ago. “It’s too early for North Korea to take a reading on how the Biden administration …

North Korea Covid: Why Kim Jong Un is cutting off China
4 years ago

North Korea Covid: Why Kim Jong Un is cutting off China

CNN  

CNN — Kim Jong Un appears to have kicked North Korea’s pandemic prevention plan into overdrive, further tightening the country’s nearly impassible borders, cutting off nearly all trade with China, and even allegedly executing a customs official for failing to handle imported goods appropriately. China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner and effectively the Kim regime’s economic lifeline – the …

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