North Korea in Crisis_ Food Shortages and Information Lockdown

Overview of the Crisis in North Korea

  • Date: March 16, 2021

  • Author: Lina Yoon, Senior Researcher, Asia Division, Human Rights Watch

  • Publication: The Diplomat

  • Focus: Humanitarian crisis, food shortages, information lockdown in North Korea amidst COVID-19.

Current Situation

  • Food Shortages

    • Severe food scarcity reported; minimal food imports from China for almost two months.

    • Rising numbers of beggars and reports of death due to hunger, especially in border areas.

    • Shortages of essential items such as soap, toothpaste, and batteries, causing daily disruptions (e.g., nonfunctional clocks).

  • Communication Challenges

    • Difficulty for researchers to gather reliable information about North Korea due to increased governmental restrictions.

    • Normal communication routes with escaped North Koreans and diplomats are blocked, complicating information verification.

Government Response to COVID-19

  • Isolation Measures

    • North Korea was one of the first countries to shut its borders completely in early 2020.

    • Official claims of no COVID-19 cases, contradicting reports of symptoms and deaths, especially among military personnel.

  • Increasing Repression

    • Travel restrictions within the country, particularly for diplomats and NGO workers; travel from Pyongyang tightly controlled.

    • Severe penalties for unauthorized movement in border areas.

    • Quarantine measures for foreign diplomats exceeding one month.

Economic Impact

  • Trade Decline

    • In 2020, trade with China dropped by 81%, exacerbating the economic situation.

    • Imports of essential goods like food and medicine halted due to governmental policies blaming potential virus spread via wildlife and environmental factors.

  • Natural Disasters

    • Severe floods from June to September destroyed essential agricultural infrastructure, further leading to a food production crisis.

Government Stance on Aid and Corruption

  • Rejection of international aid offers in the face of impending humanitarian disaster.

  • Labeling of necessary smuggling and corruption efforts as "anti-socialist" behavior, hindering private sector responses to shortages.

Call to Action for International Community

  • Governments such as the U.S., EU, Japan, and South Korea urged to:

    • Pressure North Korea to lift bans on food and medical imports and accept humanitarian aid.

    • Implement monitoring measures to ensure aid reaches those in need and is not misappropriated by the government.

  • Future diplomacy efforts, especially by the Biden administration, should integrate human rights concerns with discussions about nuclear weapons.

    • Recognize that addressing human rights is essential to genuine progress in negotiations.

Conclusion

  • It is crucial to remember the plight of the people in North Korea, rather than focusing solely on its nuclear capabilities.

  • Historical context refers back to the mass famine of the 1990s due to government policies following the Soviet Union's collapse.

  • The importance of human rights and humanitarian issues cannot be overlooked in the context of international negotiations.

Overview of the Crisis in North Korea

Date: March 16, 2021Author: Lina Yoon, Senior Researcher, Asia Division, Human Rights WatchPublication: The DiplomatFocus: In-depth examination of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, severe food shortages, and stringent information lockdown in North Korea amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Situation

Food Shortages

  • Severe Food Scarcity: Reports indicate an alarming food scarcity within North Korea, worsened by the government's stringent border closures in response to COVID-19. The country has significantly reduced food imports from China, which serves as its primary source for many essential goods. This limited trade has persisted for nearly two months, leading to heightened desperation among the populace.

  • Social Impact: There has been a disturbing rise in the number of beggars on the streets and reports of starvation-related deaths, particularly prevalent in border areas where economic conditions are historically more fragile. Communities are grappling with diminished food supply chains, prompting alarming claims about people scavenging for food or resorting to starvation.

  • Shortages of Essential Items: Along with food, there are critical shortages of basic hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste, as well as everyday necessities like batteries, which have led to disruptions in daily life, including nonfunctional clocks and deteriorating public health conditions.

Communication Challenges

  • Restricted Information Flow: Increased governmental restrictions have created significant obstacles for researchers and NGOs trying to gather reliable information about North Korea. These restrictions have effectively sealed off normal communication channels, including contact with defectors and foreign diplomats, complicating any efforts to verify the ground realities.

  • Government's Information Control: The North Korean regime has utilized this lockdown to tightly control the narrative surrounding the crisis, often denying international news reports and portraying the situation as stable. This results in a substantial gap between the realities faced by ordinary citizens and the information released by the government.

Government Response to COVID-19

  • Isolation Measures: North Korea was among the first nations globally to implement full border shutdowns in early 2020. Official statements claim that there are no COVID-19 cases within the country; however, disturbing reports suggest that numerous individuals, including military personnel, exhibit symptoms consistent with the virus, leading to unverified claims of fatalities.

  • Increased Repression: In an effort to control the situation, the government has enacted severe travel restrictions for both citizens and foreign diplomats, particularly from Pyongyang. Unauthorized movement within border regions is met with severe penalties, including imprisonment and harsh fines. Furthermore, quarantine measures for foreign diplomats have become exceptionally prolonged, exceeding one month, contributing to an overall climate of fear.

Economic Impact

  • Trade Decline: The economic fabric of North Korea has been devastated, with trade volumes with China plummeting by an astonishing 81% in 2020. This drastic decline is exacerbated by government policies that hinder the importation of critical goods like food and medicine, under the pretext of preventing a potential spread of the virus through wildlife and environmental factors.

  • Natural Disasters: Compounding the crisis, severe flooding events from June to September have obliterated essential agricultural infrastructure, further deepening the food production crisis and leaving communities in dire need of assistance.

Government Stance on Aid and Corruption

  • Rejection of International Aid: The North Korean government has firmly rejected offers of international aid despite an impending humanitarian catastrophe, prioritizing the preservation of its political ideology over the welfare of its citizens.

  • Labeling of Corruption: The regime labels any necessary smuggling or corruption efforts aimed at acquiring basic necessities as "anti-socialist" behavior, creating an environment that stigmatizes private sector responses and continues to perpetuate shortages.

Call to Action for the International Community

Governments such as the U.S., EU, Japan, and South Korea are urged to take decisive actions:

  • Lifting Import Bans: Pressure North Korea to lift prohibitive bans on essential food and medical imports and facilitate the acceptance of humanitarian aid from international organizations.

  • Monitoring Mechanisms: Implement monitoring measures to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in genuine need and is not exploited or hoarded by the government.

  • Integrate Human Rights in Diplomacy: Future diplomatic efforts, particularly those under the Biden administration, should incorporate human rights considerations alongside discussions about nuclear weapons capabilities. It is vital to recognize that ensuring human rights is integral to achieving substantive progress in any negotiations.

Conclusion

As the situation in North Korea continues to deteriorate, it is crucial to prioritize the humanitarian plight of the people over a singular focus on the nation’s nuclear ambitions. Historical context, such as the tragic mass famine of the 1990s, reminds us how governmental policies following the collapse of the Soviet Union have led to repeat crises. The international community must not overlook the importance of addressing human rights and humanitarian issues as they engage in negotiations regarding North Korea's future.