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North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has warned of food shortages and urged officials to increase agricultural production as the country is battling pandemic-related border closures, severe economic sanctions, and a series of typhoons and floods.
According to official media reports on Wednesday, King told senior officials that “the people’s food situation is now getting more and more tense” and blamed last year’s typhoon for the reduction in food production. He also warned that “emergency anti-epidemic situation will continue for a long time.”
The 37-year-old dictator made the following comments while presiding over the ruling Workers’ Party Central Committee in Pyongyang: Put pressure on North Korea’s economy.
Since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, North Korea has Cut yourself off From the outside world.Goods-food, fertilizer and fuel believed to be imported from China Major trading partners, Continue to slow down sharply, but most cross-border trade activities drop sharply or Stop completely.
Statistical data Secret state It is difficult to obtain and often unreliable. However, Peter Ward, an expert on the North Korean economy at the University of Vienna in Seoul, pointed to reports of “unprecedented” increases in the prices of staple foods such as corn and rice in recent weeks.
“The people who really suffer are those who have no political say, people outside of Pyongyang, especially people in small towns,” Ward said. “They will be severely hurt by the severe fluctuations in food prices.”
Pyongyang, which continues to claim zero coronavirus cases, seems to have taken a Super cautious approach Receive vaccines or food aid provided by foreign countries.
Critics pointed out that King did not welcome international help, but continued Development of nuclear weapons While supporting main body, The ideology of self-reliance in untouchable countries.
Former U.S. government North Korea analyst Rachel Lee is now working with 38 North at the Stimson Center, a think tank in Washington, and she said Kim may also Admit food shortage To “strike the agricultural sector to increase production” and prove self-reliance.
She said: “North Korea believes that the coronavirus situation is long-term, so it will continue to strengthen economic and ideological movements.”
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