North Korea: Children and elderly risk starvation

The strict pandemic restrictions imposed on the people of North Korea is leaving many at risk of starvation

The UN is warning that vulnerable children and the elderly impacted by a growing food crisis in the isolated Asian nation are at risk of starvation.

UN Investigator Tomás Ojea Quintana stated in a report to the UN General Assembly that North Korea’s agriculture sector appears to be facing multiple challenges due to a drop in imports of fertiliser and other agricultural items from neighbouring China.

The impact of UN and international sanctions stemming from its nuclear program, and an outbreak of African swine fever is also proving challenging.

He said prolonged and strict pandemic measures since January 2020 have resulted in “severe economic hardship and increased vulnerability to human rights violations among the general population.”

Among the measures include a full-scale border shutdown, travel restrictions between cities and regions, and restricted imports of non-essential supplies including humanitarian goods.

Quintana stated that prior to the COVID pandemic, over 40 per cent of North Koreans were “food insecure,” with many suffering from malnutrition and stunted growth.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un urged officials to overcome the “grim situation” and “unprecedented difficulties” facing the country and make stronger efforts to improve the food and living conditions of his people.