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Washington Post, February 28, 2002. With North Koreans already eating less than half the food they should each day, promised donations to ease their chronic famine are down this year as the world focuses on helping Afghanistan, a U.N. aid official said Thursday. Foreign governments have pledged only 25 percent of the 673,500 tons of food sought by the U.N. World Food Program for North Korea for 2002, said Gerald Bourke, a WFP spokesman. At this point last year, he said the pledge level was 50 percent.
South Korea and the United States have pledged the only aid so far this year, while other past donors are focusing on Afghanistan, Bourke said. "That's been drawing away resources," he said. Last month, at a fund-raising conference in Tokyo, donor countries pledged $1.8 billion in aid to Afghanistan this year. By comparison, the WFP is asking for $215 million in food aid to North Korea – down from its $312 million request last year. North Korea has relied on foreign donations to feed its 22 million people since 1995, when its secretive Stalinist regime revealed, after decades of economic decline, that its state-run farm industry had collapsed.
Last year's main autumn grain harvest was bigger than the previous year, but still falls 1.62 million tons short of North Korea's needs, said Bourke, who just returned from a weeklong visit to the North. North Koreans eat about 10½ ounces of food a day, mostly grain with little protein or vegetables, Burke said. That is less than half the minimum 22 ounces recommended by the World Health Organization. Aid agencies say reliance on foreign aid is not likely to end soon. U.N. officials have urged the North to reform its inefficient collective farms, which they blame for most of the shortages. Bourke said there has been no sign of major changes.
"Our sense is that North Korea will not be self-sufficient in food in the foreseeable future," he said.
The North says losses have been worsened by drought and flooding. It says at least 220,000 people have died of famine or hunger-related diseases. U.S. congressional investigators say the true death toll could be as high as 2 million. Relief efforts are complicated by the North's tight control of aid workers, intense secrecy and belligerence toward the outside world. Despite that, the United States, South Korea and Japan annually donate food worth millions of dollars for the North, partly out of a desire to improve relations. Washington has promised 60,600 tons of grain to WFP for this year, Bourke said. He said donations appear to be unaffected by recent criticism of the North by President Bush, who called the country part of an "axis of evil" and accused it of starving its people. There is a "bipartisan consensus (in Washington) that there are a lot of needy people," Bourke said. "The United States continues to be generous."
Chosun Daily, February 26, 2002. Those who guard Kim Jong Il when he attends an official event or visits a military unit, plant or business establishment are not members of the General Guards Command, as generally perceived, but of a guards command placed directly under his jurisdiction, officially called "Office No. 6, Guards Department, Central Committee of the Workers' Party." The General Guards Command, with the strength of an army corps, is tasked with preventing and thwarting subversive activities and military coups.
Housed in the Workers' Party headquarters building in the Changgwang Street, Central District of Pyongyang, Office No. 6 is organized like a People's Army unit. An active lieutenant general of the People's Army directs the guards command and with staff numbering about 1,200, the command is equivalent to a brigade.
When Kim Jong Il goes on an official function, five circles of guards are deployed. Five or six members of the first circle who accompany the national leader act like members of the entourage. Veterans of a 25- to 30-year career, they are senior officials of the Guards Department, mostly holding the rank of full colonel or above. The second circle, manned by 200 to 300 people, takes care of guard duties in an area of about 100m in radius encircling Kim's location.
The third circle covering an area of some 1km in radius from the second circle is manned by staffers of the Events Section of the National Security Agency; the 4th circle responsible for an area of 1.5km to 2km in radius from the third circle by those of the Events Section of the People's Security Ministry (the police). The area covered by the fifth circle, manned jointly by staffers of the Events Sections of the National Security Agency and the Ministry of People's Security, varies depending on circumstances. When an official event involving the paramount leader takes place in the provincial areas, officials dispatched from the Guards Department usually man the first and second circles. Guards deployed in the third and subsequent circles rarely see Kim Jong Il's face.
Kim's inspection of a military unit or a guidance tour of a plant or business firm is covered by the media like the party organ Rodong Sinmun and the Korea Central Broadcasting Station. Photographs and images used for such publicity activities are not taken by media reporters, but provided by "No. 5 Documents Editing Co.," an adjunct under the jurisdiction of Office No. 6 of the Guards Department. Publicity materials prepared by "No. 5 Documents Editing Co." are forwarded to the Propaganda and Instigation Department of the party central committee, which edits them for publicity purposes and obtains personal approval by Kim before releasing them to the media. Articles about Kim's inspection or guidance tours carried in the Rodong Sinmun , for example, are credited to "Political Reporting Team," "No. 5 Documents Editing Co."
The daily life of the guards command staffers is filled with tension as they live under a persistent sense of tremendous pressure from their duties. They have to be constantly prepared for an emergency and no errors, even minor ones, are tolerated in the fulfillment of their personal guarding of Kim. They are notified of Kim's outside movement two hours in advance at the most and only 45 minutes in advance sometimes. While on duty Kim asks them questions sometimes, and to respond to them in a natural way they have to stay alert all the time.
No going out, leave or vacation are permitted to the guard command members. Married officers are allowed to return home once a week, though this can hardly be called leave, as their spouses live in high-rise apartments in Changgwant Street, adjacent to the unit.
Section No. 5 of the party headquarters recruits candidates for the guard command staffers once a year from among 10th graders across the country. Emphasis in screening is given on physical health, family background and intelligence. Family background screening, aimed at looking into potential subversive activity, is quite extensive in scope. Successful candidates are chosen from among those who are not the offspring of senior party and administration officials, presumably to ensure their genuine loyalty to the paramount leader.
The treatment of guard command members is outstanding for both officers and enlisted men. Food and other daily necessaries supplied to them are next to those provided to party secretaries. Monthly salary starts at NKW57 for a private and increases by NKW10 per grade. Such excellent salaries are compared to NKW5 given a People's Army private and NKW7 accorded a private in the General Guards Command. Guard command staffers having served ten years or more are eligible for discharge. Upon discharge they are assigned at the level of guidance officer, the rank of junior official in the party, National Security Agency or Ministry of People's Security.
Joongang Ilbo reported that the DPRK called US President George W. Bush a "typical rogue and kingpin of terrorism." Regarding, Bush's two-day summit meeting in ROK last week, the DPRK Central News Agency said, "It was, in a word, a war junket to finally examine the preparations for a war on the spot. We are not willing to have contact with his clan, which is trying to change by force of arms the system chosen by the Korean people." ("NORTH CALLS BUSH'S 'KINGPIN OF TERRORISM,'" Seoul, 02/26/02)
Chosun Daily, February .22, 2002. North Korea has imported goods from China and South Korea in the second half of last year to distribute to its people as presents from Kim Jong Il, celebrating his and the late leader Kim Il Sung's birthdays, the Ministry of Unification announced Friday. An official at the ministry said that Pyongyang has purchased some W22.9 million worth of rice, meat, fish, cooking oil, confections, liquor and tobacco from China last year, 700% more than that purchased in 2000. Moreover, the official continued that an increasing number of South Korean-made shoes, pens, and refrigerators have been taken in to the North during the same period, and are thought to have been distributed as gifts on the birthdays of the current and former leaders. However, since the size of imports from China cannot meet the demand of entire population, it is highly likely that the distribution was concentrated to a certain class or regions, such as the capital Pyongyang.
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- An increasing number of foreigners hope for tourism in the DPRK with the tourist season at hand. Visitors are always welcome and their personal safety is surely guaranteed in the DPRK which values international visits, exchange, mutual understanding, cooperation and respect. The government encourages tourism with a view to strengthening solidarity with peoples of all the countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship and building a more prosperous and civilized country.
The first travel company was established in the country in August Juche 42 (1953) and later the state general bureau of tourism for the development of tourism. The DPRK became an official member of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) in September 1987. In April 1997 it was officially admitted to the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA). The state allotted a great amount of fund to building tourist grounds and service facilities at scenic spots. Hundreds of tourist grounds involve the capital city of Pyongyang, the west sea barrage, a leading lock gate of the world, and such famous mountains as Mt. Myohyang, Mt. Chilbo and Mt. Kuwol.
Tourism in the DPRK includes inspection of monumental edifices and historical and cultural relics and remains in Pyongyang and ecological tourism aimed at promoting health and training bodies while resting and vacationing at beautiful and attractive scenic spots. Tourism also includes medical treatment, the training of Taekwon-do and dance notation, the study of Korean language and the observation of animals and plants. What is noteworthy in this year's tourism is to appreciate 100,000-strong gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang," a masterpiece in the 21st century. Revolutionary opera "The Sea of Blood," national opera "Tale of Chun Hyang" and joint performances of schoolchildren and circus performances are also being prepared. The state general bureau of tourism is now busy with preparations to meet the increasing demand for tourism. Those who want to witness the peculiar feature of the DPRK vigorously advancing with the might of the single-hearted unity, the climax of fascinating art and the beauty of attractive nature may contact with the State General Bureau of Tourism. Address: Jungsong-Dong, Central District, Pyongyang, DPRK. Telephone: 850-2-18111, Fax: 850-2-3814547.
Reuters reported that the DPRK was silent on Wednesday about US President George W. Bush's visit to the ROK. However, the DPRK's official media called the US "a rogue state running amok in the international community." DPRK newspaper, Rodong Sinmun continued its campaign against Bush's remarks and US policies to curb weapons of mass destruction, "The U.S. bellicose forces are well advised to cool down their war fever and discontinue the blackmail at once." ("N.KOREA MUM ON BUSH TRIP, CALLS U.S. 'ROGUE STATE,'" Seoul, 02/20/02)
Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) - Many people are deeply moved to hear the miraculous news that four most serious cases were revived by medical workers of the Sepho county people's hospital in Kangwon Province and people in the county. It was on the night of December 14, last year, that a teacher and 3 students of Yaksu senior middle school put out a forest fire before being carried to the hospital, seriously burnt and unconscious. The cases were too serious for the county hospital to treat. Medical diagnosis was pronouncing them to be dead.
The hospital was getting short of medicines. But the patients have been miraculously restored to life by the warm human love and sincerity of the medical workers and people in the county. All the county people devoted their blood, flesh and bone to them. Four skin grafts involved more than 300 people. The grafted skin reached 3,730 square centimetres. And the amount of blood, medicines and nutritious food for the patients are innumerable. This reality can be seen only in the DPRK, in which all the people live in a great harmonious family.
Reuters reported that standing atop a sandbag bunker and protected by bulletproof glass, US President George W. Bush got his first direct look at the DPRK. Peering through binoculars at the DPRK, Bush bluntly called it "evil." As Bush stood behind bulletproof glass installed for his visit, a military officer pointed toward a DPRK museum that displays anti-US propaganda, including the axes used to kill two US servicemen in 1976. "Hear that?" Bush called out from the camouflage-draped bunker, which sits about 100 meters from the border. "The axes that were used to slaughter two US soldiers are in the peace museum. No wonder I think they're evil." Asked what he thought when he looked out over the North, Bush said: "We're ready." (Arshad Mohammed, "BUSH SEES 'EVIL' N.KOREA THROUGH BULLETPROOF GLASS," South Korea, 02/20/02)
Joongang Ilbo, February 15, 2002. Radio Free Asia, citing words of a scholar at United States Institute of Peace, said Wednesday North Korea would slowly found itself soaking on ideas of capitalism. Mr. Hazel Smith, specialist on North Korea and East Asian security who have worked in Stalinist state for past 12 years under the World Food Program said at the National Press Club in Washington, Tuesday claimed the reclusive state is changing, despite the doubtful speed. "People are starting to purchase foods and needed goods from market place, slowly bidding farewell to the existing food rations," he said. Also, this new formation of market economy is bringing out serious problem of corruption within all sectors he said and advised it would be better to choose bank transactions to cash for those South Korean or Japanese companies interested in advancing into the North. "But as long as the nation denies people of their freedom we won't be seeing any systematic market economy taking firm root in the nation," Mr. Smith said.
Arirang TV, February 18, 2002. Only 25% of the needed food aid for starving citizens in North Korea has been secured for the year according to the World Food Program, the United Nations agency established to lead the fight against global hunger, which reported Monday, that just two countries thus far, South Korea and the United States, have promised to provide assistance in 2002. Despite American President George W. Bush's statements referring to Pyongyang as part of an axis of evil, Washington says it will continue its humanitarian aid and has already sent some 55,000 tons of grain to the famine-stricken country. Seoul meanwhile plans to make its first shipment of the year to the North of approximately 100,000 tons of corn by the end of the month. The Japanese government, however, says its not clear whether or not it will participate as it did last year, amid waning public support for the program domestically. Representatives of the WFP said it is still well short of its target of 600,000 tons for the year and will have to suspend assistance to several east coast regions in North Korea. The agency expects the current supply of food aid to be exhausted by June.
Arirang TV, February 15, 2002. In a humanitarian gesture, the United Nations Children's Fund plans to send health and medical aid worth more than US$10 million to North Korea this year. UNICEF announced Friday the planned aid package to the famine-stricken North includes essential medical supplies worth almost US$4 million, a US$2.2 million program for helping develop immunity and a project for improving nutrition worth over US$1.5 million. In particular, UNICEF says it will focus on providing technology for improving water supply and health facilities at local childcare institutes.
Joongang Ilbo, February 18, 2002. World Food Program disclosed only South Korea and the United States showed up to promise further food aid to the hunger-stricken North Korea. The humanitarian group under UN said Monday among the needed 611,200 ton of food, it has only secured 25 percent of the needed food amount compared to same time last year. "We would see halt in emergency food aid to the East Sea region of the North within two weeks' time." "We also need at least 8,000 ton of sugar for North Korea children in dire need of nutritional foods and the expected half in food supply in certain places would pose serious threat to those children," the report continued, giving out further concern over poor crops this winter once again due to too little snow this winter. Meanwhile, South Korea would make its first delivery of 100,000 ton of corn via World Food Program later this month. Japan is not likely to join in the two nations with mounting negative sentiment toward North Korea at home since the spy-boat incident last November at East China Sea. The United States in particular, promised to extend food aid to North Korea after already handing out 55,000 ton of food aid this year despite its hard rhetoric toward the reclusive regime.
The Associated Press reported that DPRK military officers and party cadets rallied Friday to celebrate DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Il's birthday, calling for heightened vigilance following President Bush's condemnation of the DPRK. Kim turns 60 on Saturday. On the eve of the national holiday, the DPRK called a massive "national meeting" in Pyongyang, where Kim Yong Nam, the country's Number 2 man, made a report on the state of national affairs. "Because of the United States' arrogant and insolent behaviour, the danger of war is growing every day on the Korean Peninsula," Kim said during the meeting. "If the US imperialists and their followers dare provoke a war in this land, it will lead to their final destruction." (Choe Sang-hun, "NORTH KOREA WARNS OF WAR," Seoul, 02/15/02)
Joongang Ilbo reported that Peter Brookes, US deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated that the DPRK is increasing and modernizing its conventional weapons and forces near the Demilitarized Zone. Brookes referred to the DPRK's conventional weapons as the "fuse of a time bomb." While the weapons of mass destruction are important, he said, armies do not start hostilities with them. He added that reducing the DPRK's conventional weapons should be the immediate task to forestall use of mass-destruction weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Brookes also stated that the movements of the DPRK army in the past year shows that "they are readying for an offensive." He also added, "The North Korean army has been moving closer to the Demilitarized Zone in the past few years." He ruled out upgrading weaponry of the U. forces stationed in ROK for the time being, but stressed that the US would be flexible in strengthening its military response capability toward the DPRK. (Oh Day-young, "NORTH SAID TO PREPARE OFFENSIVE MOVES," Tokyo, 02/14/02)
The Mainichi Shinbun reported that a Japanese man who has been held in the DPRK since 1999 for alleged spying was released on Tuesday. Takashi Sugishima, a former Nihon Keizai Shinbun reporter, returned to Japan. A Japan foreign ministry spokesperson said Pyongyang informed it earlier in the month that 62 year old Sugishima would be released soon. "We don't even know why they decided to release him," the spokesperson said. The release of a Japanese journalist is a push to put ties on a better footing. "It will be terrific if this leads to a resumption of (stalled) Japan-North Korea talks," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told reporters on Wednesday. Foreign Ministry officials said they believe that the DPRK is seeking a breakthrough in its international isolation. ("NORTH KOREA RELEASES JAPANESE MAN HELD FOR SPYING," 02/12/02) and the Asahi Shinbun ("ANALYSIS: N.KOREA OFFERS AN OLIVE BRANCH," 02/14/02)
Chosun Daily, February 9, 2002. The approach of North Korea's National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il's 60th birthday on February 16 has seen Pyongyang organizing 'Birthday Celebration Committees' in 63 countries to create a festive mood for the big day. A government source said Saturday that Pyongyang has been organizing the committees within pro-North Korean organizations abroad since February 2001 to prepare a worldwide celebration. According to the source, the congratulatory event will focus on praising Kim's achievement and encouraging loyalty to Kim's leadership. Meanwhile, China's Communist Party central committee had sent flowers and a present in time for the North Korean leader's birthday, reported North Korea's Central News Agency Saturday.
Agence France-Presse reported that a DPRK foreign ministry spokesman, in a statement released late Tuesday, said Japan's launch of a satellite carrier this week was a covert attempt to bolster its arms program. The spokesperson accused the US of double standards in condemning the DPRK but doing nothing over Japan's weapons buildup. The ministry said Japan's launch of an H-2A rocket on Monday sought "to revive militarism." "This situation compels the DPRK to further increase its independent defense capabilities," a foreign ministry spokesperson warned. Japan has said its H-2A rocket is intended for commercial satellite launches. But the DPRK ministry said Japan's "moves to revive militarism, which is getting pronounced as never before these days, have reached a dangerous phase." The official claimed Japan was secretly developing missiles, and had technology and enough plutonium to produce nuclear weapons. ("NORTH KOREA DENOUNCES JAPAN'S ROCKET LAUNCH," 02/06/02)
According to information provided to IPI, Kim In-gu, a journalist with the South Korean daily newspaper Chosun Ilbo, was refused entry into North Korea by the authorities. Kim In-gu had obtained a permit to be part of the press pool sent to cover the Red Cross negotiations at Mount Keumgang on 28 June, aimed at reuniting families separated by the Korean War. However, after the cruise ship on which the press pool travelled, had arrived at Changjon Harbour, Kim In-gu was prevented from disembarking by North Korean immigrant officials. Kim In-gu was the only journalist in the pool denied this right.
The refusal by North Korean authorities is thought to be directly related to the critical reporting of the newspaper. A fact which was cited by officials when refusing the entry of another journalist from the Chosun Ilbo at the Pyongyang summit; however, on that occasion, the situation was resolved on the insistence of President Kim Dae-Jung and other high-ranking officials...
Жители КНДР с грандиозным размахом отметили 60-летие их лидера Ким Чен Ира. Как передает корреспондент РИА "Новости", главным событием на торжествах стали массовые гимнастические упражнения в Пхеньяне, в которых приняли участие около 10 тысяч школьников-артистов. Лично Ким Чен Ир на представлении не появился. О том, как он сам отметил свой юбилей, в КНДР огласке не подлежит. Вместе с тем 60-летие в странах Дальнего Востока имеет особое значение, составляя завершенный зодиакальный цикл - целый век по лунному календарю.
Улицы северокорейской столицы украшены гирляндами, флагами и изображениями цветов "кимченирия", названных так в честь высшего руководителя страны. В специальных оранжереях к празднику высажены свыше 14 тысяч живых "кимченирий", чтобы ими любовались жители города и демонстрировали свое почтение к своему лидеру.
Празднование юбилея проходило по всей стране, став своего рода соревнованием в изобретательности. Так, в городе Нампхо на побережье Желтого моря песню во славу Ким Чен Ира исполнил гигантский хор, состоявший более чем из 21 тысячи певцов художественной самодеятельности.
Примерно 100 тысяч детей в различных районах КНДР отметили день рождения Ким Чен Ира, вступив в ряды северокорейских пионеров.
Все северокорейские газеты, радиопрограммы и телевидение посвятили празднику специальные программы, прославляя Ким Чен Ира и его заслуги. В частности, в них выражается вера в то, что лидеру КНДР удастся построить мощное государство.
Вместе с тем торжества в КНДР проходят на фоне возросшей тревоги северокорейских граждан из-за недавнего заявления американского президента Джорджа Буша, который назвал КНДР наряду с Ираком и Ираном составной частью "оси зла". В ответ в Пхеньяне объявили США "империей зла" и предупредили, что готовы дать отпор в случае военных действий против КНДР.
Джордж Буш, отправляясь в поездку по странам Азии, включая Японию, Китай и Южную Корею, попытался сгладить накал напряженности. В интервью японским и южнокорейским тележурналистам в субботу он сказал, что несмотря на его заявления, американская администрация готова к диалогу с Северной Кореей.
Правда, при этом он назвал эту страну "безнадежной", и обрушился с критикой на Ким Чен Ира. Подобные высказывания в день рождения руководителя в КНДР считаются в высшей степени оскорблением. Источник: РИА "НОВОСТИ", 16.02.2002 (in Russian)
February 13, 2002. The following report was posted on the Center for Strategic and International Studies website on February 2, 2002. The entire report is entitled "The Global Nuclear Balance: A Quantitative and Arms Control Analysis." Excerpted is part VI entitled, "North Korean Force Trends." The report is broken down into US Department of Defense estimates of DPRK actions and intentions involving nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and CIA estimates of DPRK missile force trends.
AP Network News, February 10, 2002. The U.N. World Food Program said it has received only a fraction of the aid needed to help feed starving people in North Korea, where at least 2 million young children may die of hunger. The WFP has received just 10 percent of the $216 million it needs to provide about 611,200 tons of food to North Korea. "Further contributions, especially for sugar and cereals are urgently required to ensure continued food assistance to the most vulnerable populations for April and onwards," a WFP report issued Friday said. The WFP plans to make up about half of a projected shortfall of 1.47 million tons of grain for the year. The North Korean government will have to obtain the other half, either through donations or foreign purchases. The WFP said the overall shortage risks the lives of more than 2 million children under age 5 through malnutrition and disease.
Friday's report also warned of a poor harvest this year because a lack of snowfall may parch soils and lead to lower water levels later. John Powell, regional director of the WFP's Asia Bureau, said in November that the agency's aid campaigns for North Korea since 1995 all have been successful, with donations covering 95 percent of the objectives. Despite improved harvest yields the past couple of years, food shortages still are widespread in North Korea, making foreign aid crucial, WFP and South Korean officials say. North Korea says 220,000 people died of hunger or hunger-related diseases between 1995 and 1998. A U.S. congressional team says the total could be 2 million. On Saturday, North Korean defectors told the International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees in Tokyo that bodies of starvation victims have been seen floating in rivers.
Arirang TV, February 9, 2002. South Korea's private sector donated W8.8 billion, or around US$6.6 million worth of aid to North Korea during the month of January. The figure released by the Unification Ministry Saturday, represents a jump of more than 800% from the W1 billion seen during the same period last year. The aid, delivered through the National Red Cross, included items such as medical supplies, agricultural products and clothing. Meanwhile, the government is also looking to provide relief to the famine stricken nation by sending 10,000 tons of corn through the World Food Program.
The New York Times reported that the DPRK has called off a visit by a group of former US ambassadors. The trip had been arranged as a way to expand informal dialogue between the US and the DPRK. However, DPRK officials told the ex-diplomats on Friday not to come. The delegates, which included, Donald Gregg from the first Bush administration, Richard Walker from the Reagan administration and Stephen Bosworth from the Clinton administration had planned to meet senior DPRK officials later this month. They attributed the cancellation to President Bush's criticism of the DPRK in his State of the Union speech.
"They probably found it very offensive," said William H. Gleysteen, envoy to ROK during the Carter administration. "I'm sure it happened because of the State of the Union address," said Robert A. Scalapino, professor emeritus at the University of California. "The use of incendiary language is not fruitful," he said. Scalapino helped organize the trip and planned to go himself. Delegates said no reason was specified for the cancellation, which was conveyed through the DPRK's mission at the United Nations. (Michael R. Gordon, "NORTH KOREA CANCELS TRIP BY 4 EXPERTS FROM THE U.S.," Washington, 02/09/02), the Associated Press (Vanessa Palo, "N. KOREA TELLS US ENVOYS NOT TO COME," Washington, 02/09/02)
International Herald Tribune, February 05, 2002. Nearly seven years after North Korea begged the outside world for food to stave off widespread famine, the communist country remains as dependent as ever on foreign handouts. The famine that killed hundreds of thousands of North Koreans in the mid- to late 1990s has ebbed. But food shortages are widespread even though harvests improved in the last couple of years, according to the United Nations and the South Korean government. "I think the food coming into this country has definitely improved conditions for children. But there are still instances of malnutrition," said Rick Corsino, head of the U.N. World Food Program's operation in North Korea. "The situation is very precarious. They're right on the edge here," Corsino said. "If food aid disappeared and the crop was not better than it is now, there's a real risk."
The United Nations plans to supply just over half of a projected shortfall of 1.47 million tons of grain for the year. The rest will be up to the North Korean government to obtain, either through donations or purchases abroad. North Korea's dependence on outside food aid is unlikely to change soon. U.N. officials have urged North Korea to reform its inefficient collective farm industry, saying the major cause of its food shortages is structural. But there is no indication that the North is willing to introduce fundamental economic reforms, possibly because it fears they could undermine its totalitarian rule. In his State of the Union address last week, President Bush suggested that North Korea was intentionally depriving its people of food.
"North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens," said Bush, citing North Korea, Iran and Iraq as an "axis of evil" that threatens global stability. North Korea's self-imposed isolation, often belligerent posture and tight controls on the few aid workers it allows within its borders have aggravated international efforts to help feed its 22 million people. After decades of economic decline, North Korea appealed to the international community for food in 1995 after the virtual collapse of its farming industry. Crop-destroying floods and drought worsened the problem. North Korea admitted that 220,000 people died of hunger or hunger-related diseases between 1995 and 1998. A U.S. congressional team said that up to 2 million people may have died.
Despite Bush's tough words, the United States annually donates tens of millions of dollars in food aid to North Korea in a policy motivated by humanitarian concerns as well as a desire to improve relations. Another big donor is South Korea, a U.S. ally that is seeking reconciliation with its neighbour after decades of enmity following the 1950-53 Korean War. A South Korean official said the food situation in North Korea was best in and around the showcase capital of Pyongyang. The most severe food shortages are in northern Hamkyong and Jagang provinces, along the border with China, said the official, Lee Jong-joo. Tens of thousands of North Koreans have fled those areas into China in search of food, and a few have defected to South Korea. "It's still a very worrisome situation where huge numbers of people could die of starvation if outside assistance stops," Lee said. Political tension has undercut efforts to help feed North Korea. South Korea wants to send a rice shipment to the North, but says it has to negotiate the handover. However, official inter-Korean contact has come to a virtual standstill since fragile U.S.-North Korean ties deteriorated after Bush's inauguration a year ago.
Chosun Ilbo, February 5, 2002. Half a century has passed since North Korea launched its automobile industry by breaking the ground in November 1950 for the construction of the 600,000 square meter Tokchon Motor Plant in Tokchon City, South Pyongan Province, that could be billed as the Detroit of North Korea. Re-christened as Sungri (victory) Motor Plant in 1975, the factory has produced a number of models including the Jaju (independence) and Shintaibaik.
Production facilities are concentrated at the foot of Mount Sungri in Tokchon City, reputed for the discovery of Palaeolithic relics from the mountain's tunnels. Some of the facilities were built by the Chinese as a logistical base during the Korean War (1950-53). Car assembly and parts manufacturing are done on the ground, and most vehicle parts except glass and tires are produced there. The annual production capacity, claimed to be 20,000 units early in the 1980s, reportedly stood at between 6,000 and 7,000 units and plummeted markedly in the 1990s when the food crisis hit the country, turning out a mere 150 units in 1996 when the economic woes climaxed.
The dismal condition of the automobile industry in Tokchon is ascribable in part to the fact that motor vehicles produced there are not for military but for civilian use, and are supplied to public agencies, business corporations and 'shock troops.' Military vehicles are produced in Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province and elsewhere under the jurisdiction of the Second Economic (logistical economy) Committee.
Competition to get motor vehicles assigned is fierce among public agencies and business firms that need them desperately and lobbying activities never cease. All auto parts without fail have black market price tags. In principle, nobody can possess and sell automobiles in the North, as they are allocated under a set program only. However with supply falling absolutely short of demand, there is no alternative but to secure vehicles resorting to bribery. Senior party officials in Tokchon are accordingly reshuffled often. Merchants obtain auto parts in Tokchon and sell them elsewhere for profit.
In the absence of competition, technological renovation is basically hard to realize in North Korea. Since the 1950s, North Korea's auto industry has persistently relied on "anatomy plan drawing" - a practice of disassembling foreign-made car models and drawing their parts design one by one. Through this method, they produced late in the 1980s the "Mount Paikdu" model, a replica of the German made Mercedes-Benz. "The car is a poor replica, with the door not shutting properly due to unmatched window sections," recall North Korean defectors in the South who had travelled in the car.