{"id":5848,"date":"2022-06-01T12:47:07","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T03:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=5848"},"modified":"2022-06-13T10:59:55","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T01:59:55","slug":"korona-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2022\/06\/society-economy\/korona-9\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cInside N. Korea\uff1e Facing the spread of starvation, N. Korean authorities distribute food for free in some urban areas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An example of North Korea\u2019s overexaggerated efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. In the photo, people are wearing protective suits while working to repair a dyke along the Yalu River. Taken by ASIAPRESS in October 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

North Korean authorities distributed food to people in a number of cities starting on May 22. Anxiety has risen in the country as many people have been unable to acquire food due to urban lockdowns and quarantines amid efforts by the authorities to contain COVID-19. There have even been deaths caused by the lack of food. The food distributions appear to be a belated attempt by the government to head off more tragedy.
\n(KANG Ji-won, ISHIMARU Jiro<\/em>)<\/p>\n

\u25c6 Deaths by starvation occur due to lockdowns and quarantines<\/h2>\n

The Kim Jong-un regime acknowledged an outbreak of COVID-19 on May 12. The disease control measures the regime implemented soon after led to the closure of markets, people being quarantined in their homes, and even entire cities or districts being locked down. Bans on movement made it difficult for many people to obtain food.<\/p>\n

Facing an increase in public discontent along with the deaths of elderly people and even children due to starvation, the authorities finally began distributing food. ASIAPRESS confirmed through several reporting partners throughout North Korea that food distributions took place in the northern region of the country, including in some urban areas. ASIAPRESS was unable to determine whether the distributions of food are being conducted nationwide.<\/p>\n

In a state-run food store in a county in North Hamgyung Province, one kilogram of white rice went for KPW 4,000 and one kilogram of corn went for KPW 2,000 as of around May 22. The store sold five days\u2019 worth of food for families at a price slightly cheaper than market prices were before the lockdown. According to a reporting partner in the county, \u201cHouseholds facing starvation were given a couple of days\u2019 worth of food for free.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u203b KPW 1,000 is around KRW 184.
\n<\/p>\n

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Map of North Korea ( ASIAPRESS)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 People are \u201cvery happy\u201d to receive free distribution of 15 days\u2019 worth of food<\/h2>\n

In Hyesan, Yanggang Province, the entire city was locked down on May 14 \u2013 earlier than in other regions \u2013 and people were completely banned from going outside. Local residents quickly faced food shortages and the threat of starvation.<\/p>\n

According to several ASIAPRESS reporting partners, Hyesan distributed 15 days\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

One of the reporting partners told ASIAPRESS the following:<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u203b ASIAPRESS communicates with reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.<\/p>\n

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