The Famine: Past and Present
This module covers the factors that affected both the previous famine and the current one. This section is to give a brief overview of each famine separately. These famines are closely related and suffer from the same issues.
North Korean child standing near damaged home after a flood (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6956431.stm)
The Past
During the 1990s, North Korea suffered a terrible famine. It was estimated that between 900,000 to 3.5 million deaths resulted from hunger related illness. The range of the death rate varies widely due to disputed sources and the fact that North Korea is a very closed country. Out of these deaths, children and women suffered the highest rate of mortality.
The main reason that women and children suffer is due to their place in the strict society. Women are expected to hold jobs and provide food and prepare meals for their family. When there is a lack of food, women have the additional strain of searching for an adequate meal while working long hours at their job and caring for their family. Children suffered immensely from lack of nutrition. Because of the severe lack of vitamins and other essential nutrients, children in North Korea are often stunted in growth and malnourished.
During this first famine, named the "Arduous March," by the North Korean people, the country suffered from a variety of issues that are discussed later in the module. The most notable problems came from the constant destruction of crops due to multiple floods, and the collapse of the North Korean economy as money was siphoned from its citizens and placed into the military.
North Korea was eventually able to pull itself out of the famine around the end of the 20th century, after requesting aide from the UN. Various countries around the world sent donations in order for the Red Cross to give out food and provide proper medication for North Korea's ailing citizens.
The Present
As of 2011, after two decades since the beginning of the Arduous March, North Korea has slipped back into a famine. There has been debate amongst countries about the actual state of North Korea's economy. However, Time magazine reports that North Korea is definitely on the brink of another widespread famine. Meanwhile, North Korea claims that a famine currently is present within the country, and has been requesting aide from the UN.
In 2007, massive flooding North Korea damaged important crop lands. As a result, many farmers were unable to grow enough grain to meet the massive demand of the North Korean government. North Korea began requesting aide from its ally, China. Though China initially provided assistance, it has since cut back the amount of food sent over due to the added costs and outrage from its own citizens. Since the decreased amount of aide, the price of food has tripled in North Korea.
Another important factor that has caused the return of the famine is North Korea's unstable economy. Briefly in 2002, the North Korean government allowed free farming as an experiment. As the free farming became more successful, the government became more restrictive. Farmers were still allowed to grow their own crop on their assigned plot of land, but they were not allowed to sell their crop. Soon the food rationing system returned and things slowly went downhill again. To make matters worse, North Korean currency was redominated and lost most of its value. In addition to the weakened currency, no foreign currency was allowed within the country as well.
Up to 2010, there have been various reports of North Korean people eating tree bark, roots, weeds, and other various plants and vegetation in order to survive. Even more horrible, there have also been reports of cannibalism being practiced within the country as desperate people search for food. While some of these reports have not been verified, many escaped North Koreans who have been interviewed were not shocked by the accusations.
Though there has been definite reports about North Koreans starving and destroyed crops, many countries within the UN do not personally feel that North Korea is in an actual famine. The United States and South Korea have stated that North Korea is exaggerating in order to stock up on supplies for massive celebrations planned in 2012. The United States is also weary of giving aide due to the growing nuclear strength in North Korea. Many American charities are angered that North Korea is only receiving thirty percent of the aide it has requested. However, the Obama administration is weary to give to much aide to North Korea because they are uncertain whether it is actually reaching the people or not. Furthermore, other countries have stopped providing aide after the North Korean military shelled a South Korean army and even sunk a ship as well.
Up to 2010, there have been various reports of North Korean people eating tree bark, roots, weeds, and other various plants and vegetation in order to survive. Even more horrible, there have also been reports of cannibalism being practiced within the country as desperate people search for food. While some of these reports have not been verified, many escaped North Koreans who have been interviewed were not shocked by the accusations.
Though there has been definite reports about North Koreans starving and destroyed crops, many countries within the UN do not personally feel that North Korea is in an actual famine. The United States and South Korea have stated that North Korea is exaggerating in order to stock up on supplies for massive celebrations planned in 2012. The United States is also weary of giving aide due to the growing nuclear strength in North Korea. Many American charities are angered that North Korea is only receiving thirty percent of the aide it has requested. However, the Obama administration is weary to give to much aide to North Korea because they are uncertain whether it is actually reaching the people or not. Furthermore, other countries have stopped providing aide after the North Korean military shelled a South Korean army and even sunk a ship as well.