Food Shortage in North Korea

By Dana Alblooshi, Staff Reporter, The Pawprint

South Korea’s Rural Development Administration reported that North Korea’s food output fell by approximately 180,000 metric tons in 2022 compared to the previous year. The decrease in food production was caused by various factors, including drought, floods, and Russian export limitations on fertilizers.

Experts are warning that North Korea’s severe food shortage is poised to worsen and potentially result in fatal consequences. The country’s chronic food scarcity is causing increasing concerns, as several reports indicate that starvation-related deaths may occur soon.

In January, a report by 38 North stated that food supply in North Korea has potentially dropped below the minimum level required for human sustenance. Additionally, South Korea’s central bank estimated that North Korea’s economy contracted by 0.1 percent in 2021, marking the second consecutive year of decline.

According to reports, North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Un, urges government officials to bring about a fundamental transformation in the country’s agricultural sector. He is concerned about the worsening food shortage in North Korea.