More food aid sought for N Korea

Seoul - Two UN agencies warned yesterday that North Korea faces a seventh year of food shortages and appealed for more international…

Seoul - Two UN agencies warned yesterday that North Korea faces a seventh year of food shortages and appealed for more international food aid to the communist state.

"Severe drought, typhoons, poor infrastructure and economic problems mean that [North Korea] is facing its seventh consecutive year of food shortages," the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a press release.

A joint Food and Agriculture Organisation and WFP mission reported "a sizeable reduction" in rice and maize production this year, with rice alone falling 31 per cent from 1999, it said.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter