Image Credits : Asia Times
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged a significant overhaul in the country’s agricultural practices in response to reported concerns about food shortages. During the second day of a crucial party meeting, Kim highlighted the necessity of achieving specific grain production goals and implementing transformative measures in agriculture.
The aim is to establish a solid groundwork for the stable and continuous development of the agricultural sector, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un has conveyed the unwavering determination and commitment of the Party Central Committee to achieve a revolutionary transformation in agricultural production. He asserted that success is attainable through the establishment of a robust leadership system throughout the entire party and the united strength of the people.
Kim’s statements come in the wake of reports from South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which indicated that North Korea is confronting a serious food crisis, with reports of starvation-related deaths emerging less than a week ago. The third-generation leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges and implementing substantial changes in agricultural practices to ensure food security in the nation.
According to a report by the United States-based think tank 38 North last month, North Korea’s harvest cycle from 2020 to 2021 likely fell short of meeting essential human needs, raising concerns about the country’s proximity to a famine. The report presented evidence suggesting a substantial decline in living conditions, indicating an ongoing complex humanitarian emergency with food insecurity as its central issue.
The report proposed that a lasting solution to North Korea’s chronic food insecurity would, in part, depend on resolving the nuclear issue. This resolution could potentially lead to significant relief from economic sanctions, a shift towards a less militaristic and revanchist stance, and the resumption of trade with the United States and its allies.
The idea is that addressing the nuclear issue could pave the way for improved diplomatic relations, economic support, and increased international cooperation, contributing to a more sustainable and secure food situation in North Korea.
North Korea has a history of grappling with food shortages, with one of the most severe instances being the devastating famine in the 1990s. This crisis, estimated to have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands to millions of people, highlighted the vulnerability of the country’s food security.
Current food shortages in North Korea are attributed to a combination of factors. Poor harvests and extreme weather conditions have played a role, impacting the country’s agricultural productivity. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation. Lockdowns and reduced trade, particularly with China, have hindered economic activities and disrupted the supply chain, including the import of essential goods.
In response to these challenges, North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper recently advocated for greater economic self-reliance. The call for self-reliance is a recurrent theme in North Korean ideology, emphasizing the country’s independence and resistance to external influence.
The newspaper also expressed resistance to accepting assistance from “imperialists,” characterizing outside aid as “poisoned candy.” This rhetoric reflects the regime’s historical reluctance to rely on foreign assistance and a preference for maintaining a self-sufficient image, even in the face of humanitarian challenges.
The primary objective of the meeting, as stated by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is to identify effective and feasible strategies to achieve the grain production targets for the current year and instigate a significant transformation in agricultural production over the next few years.
However, the report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) does not provide detailed information on the specific measures that will be implemented to achieve this fundamental shift in agricultural output. The lack of elaboration leaves room for speculation on the specific policies, reforms, or initiatives that might be considered or implemented to address the challenges and improve agricultural productivity in North Korea.
North Korea has indeed been subject to strict international sanctions due to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The international community, led by the United Nations, has imposed various sanctions on North Korea to curb its nuclear ambitions and deter further development of its weapons programs.
Despite facing these sanctions and having limited resources, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pursued an aggressive stance in expanding the country’s nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. The strategic goal has been to use these capabilities as leverage in negotiations with the United States and other nations. Kim seeks to pressure Washington into recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power, potentially leading to the lifting of international sanctions that have had significant economic repercussions on the country.
The reported decline in North Korea’s food production in 2022 by about 180,000 tons compared to 2021 can be attributed to a combination of factors, including adverse weather conditions such as floods and droughts. These environmental challenges can significantly impact agricultural output, affecting crop yields and overall food production.
USDA forecasts MY 2023/24 North Korea rice production to be the same as last year’s production at 2.1 million tons and rough rice yield to remain at last year’s level of 4.18 tons per hectare (t/ha). The current rice yield forecast is almost 12 per cent below the 5-year average of 4.76 t/ha.
Additionally, the mention of plans to “spread the wealth down to farmers” suggests a potential shift in agricultural policies. The phrase implies a distribution of resources or benefits to those involved in farming. However, the statement also notes that these plans had been largely rescinded over the years in favour of tighter centralized control.
Centralized control can be a characteristic feature of North Korea’s governance, where decisions and resources are concentrated at the top levels of leadership. Such centralization might impact the efficiency and flexibility of agricultural practices, potentially contributing to challenges in responding to environmental factors like floods and droughts.