Extreme Poverty"North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment, shortages of spare parts, and poor maintenance. Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption."
" In December 2009, North Korea carried out a redenomination of its currency, capping the amount of North Korean won that could be exchanged for the new notes, and limiting the exchange to a one-week window. A concurrent crackdown on markets and foreign currency use yielded severe shortages and inflation, forcing Pyongyang to ease the restrictions by February 2010. In response to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, South Korea’s government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities, with the exception of operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex." Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html |
Extreme Hunger |
"Frequent weather-related crop failures aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems, including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, poor soil quality, insufficient fertilization, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. The mid 1990s were marked by severe famine and widespread starvation. Significant food aid was provided by the international community through 2009. Since that time, food assistance has declined significantly. In the last few years, domestic corn and rice production has been somewhat better, although domestic production does not fully satisfy demand."
Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html |
What is being done?
In response recent to flood damage, the following took place: "The United States said it would consider a request for assistance but has not received one, and it was not aware of Pyongyang making such requests to other states.
"If requested, it would be something that that we would carefully evaluate but we are not at that point," State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told a news conference in Washington Thursday.
The flooding, which occurred on the heels of a severe drought, renewed concerns about North Korea's ability to feed its people. In June, the U.N. said two-thirds of the country's 24 million people are coping with chronic food shortages."
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/north-korea-floods-aid_n_1733275.html
Perhaps part of the problems that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are facing are going unnoticed because help hasn't been requested, as was the case with The United States giving aid. There could be many problems contributing to extreme poverty and hunger in North Korea, but what they need is a solid plan to relieve them of the woes they face.
I believe that the people of North Korea need not just relief sent to them, but relief in their own country, relief that will help them grow better crops, more food, and create opportunities to help increase the well being of the citizens there.
"If requested, it would be something that that we would carefully evaluate but we are not at that point," State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told a news conference in Washington Thursday.
The flooding, which occurred on the heels of a severe drought, renewed concerns about North Korea's ability to feed its people. In June, the U.N. said two-thirds of the country's 24 million people are coping with chronic food shortages."
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/north-korea-floods-aid_n_1733275.html
Perhaps part of the problems that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are facing are going unnoticed because help hasn't been requested, as was the case with The United States giving aid. There could be many problems contributing to extreme poverty and hunger in North Korea, but what they need is a solid plan to relieve them of the woes they face.
I believe that the people of North Korea need not just relief sent to them, but relief in their own country, relief that will help them grow better crops, more food, and create opportunities to help increase the well being of the citizens there.