|
| instagram.com/hongsu255 |
DELTASION.com – North Korea reportedly started a high-level conference on agriculture on Sunday
(26/2/2023). The meeting was held amid allegations that Pyongyang’s people
were running out of food and there were reports of death from
starvation.
The meeting did not say how many days it would last, but it would be held
in plenary, especially to seek a turning point for radical changes in
agricultural development.
North Korea’s plenary meetings are the main decision-making venue for the
ruling Workers’ Party. Kim Jong Un holds plenary meetings two to four times
a year. But this is the first time the North Korean Workers’ Party has held
a meeting discussing only agricultural issues.
1. A rare gathering focused on agriculture
|
| (Unsplash.com/Pierre Bamin) |
A high-level meeting discussing agricultural issues, which was reported by
North Korea’s official state media, was considered a rare meeting. This is
because it was held just two months after the meeting focused on the same
issue.
As reported by France24, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened the
meeting. Kim is also said to have presided over the opening plenary meeting
of top officials of the ruling Workers’ Party.
It was explained that the meeting was to conduct an analysis and review of
the rural revolution program in the new era. In addition, the meeting will
also decide on important immediate tasks and urgent tasks.
There are no further details about the new programs and tasks that will be
implemented. However, it is reported that the participants unanimously
agreed on the agenda and discussed it.
2. Most of North Korea’s resources are devoted to its nuclear program
N Korea holds meeting on farming amid fears of food shortages
https://t.co/XP4nczCDLh— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish)
February 27, 2023
Most analysts explain that the current food situation in North Korea has
expanded. Some say the food insecurity is the worst since Kim Jong Un took
power in Pyongyang in 2011.
Food shortages are expected to worsen due to the Russian war in Ukraine.
This is because it makes global food, energy, and fertilizer prices
increase.
As reported by the Associated Press, it is not known in detail whether
Pyongyang is taking steps to overcome food shortages. The isolated country
is said to devote most of its resources to its nuclear program.
“To produce more grain, they have to increase inputs such as fertilizers,
pesticides, and agricultural machinery. But North Korea rarely does that,”
said Nam Sung-Wook, a professor at Korea University in South Korea.
3. North Korea is estimated to be short of 1 million tons of grain
|
| (Unsplash.com/Micha Brandli) |
According to data compiled by South Korea, Pyongyang produced 4.5 million
tonnes of grain last year. It experienced a decrease of 3.8 percent compared
to the previous. From 2012-2021, North Korea produced between 4.4 million
tons and 4.8 million tons of grain annually.
However, North Korea needs about 5.5 million tons of grain to feed its 25
million people. So for this year, it is estimated that the country will
experience a shortage of around 1 million tonnes.
As reported by Al Jazeera, last week the official North Korean government
newspaper called for economic independence. Relying on external assistance
to deal with a food situation is like taking poisoned candy.
Economic independence is part of the struggle against the imperialists. The
imperialists are said to be carrying the cloak of collaboration and
assistance as if other countries are in economic trouble and cannot overcome
the crisis without their support