＜Inside N. Korea＞ Facing the spread of starvation, N. Korean authorities distribute food for free in some urban areas

◆ People are “very happy” to receive free distribution of 15 days’ worth of food

In Hyesan, Yanggang Province, the entire city was locked down on May 14 – earlier than in other regions – and people were completely banned from going outside. Local residents quickly faced food shortages and the threat of starvation.

According to several ASIAPRESS reporting partners, Hyesan distributed 15 days’ worth of food for free on May 25. The daily amount of food received by working people was 650 grams of corn, while housewives with dependents received 450 grams, and students 350 grams. The distribution received by one of the reporting partners included 20% white rice; however, the amount of food and the time they received it were the same as other reporting partners.

One of the reporting partners told ASIAPRESS the following:

“People are really happy given they had worried more about food than COVID-19. There are rumors that the authorities released wartime military reserves of food.”

Moreover, the labor shortage in collective farms nearby Hyesan is so severe that the authorities have lifted lockdowns in some areas to allow factory and company workers to take part in agricultural activities. However, most areas of the city are still under lockdown as of May 30.

※ ASIAPRESS communicates with reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.