UN: "North Korea's COVID-19 Response Worsens Food Shortage"

US Projects 15.3 Million People Facing Hunger in North Korea This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres introduced that North Korea's food shortage is worsening as it restricts the movement of residents to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Ant?nio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

According to the Voice of America (VOA) broadcast on the 5th (local time), Secretary-General Guterres reported this situation through a report submitted ahead of the 75th United Nations General Assembly to be held in mid-October. He stated that North Korea is taking strict measures such as closing its borders, resulting in blocked movement of goods and prolonged quarantine of both people and cargo.

The Economic Research Service under the U.S. Department of Agriculture also predicted in its annual report last month that 15.3 million people, equivalent to 59.8% of North Korean residents, are likely to be in a state of food shortage.

In addition, Alena Douhan, the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, introduced that humanitarian aid is also being disrupted due to the United States' independent sanctions against North Korea. Special Rapporteur Douhan pointed out that an analysis of the situations in North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela, which are subject to U.S. unilateral sanctions, shows that sanctions have a negative impact on humanitarian assistance.

She explained that due to the impact of financial sanctions, aid organizations based in the U.S. are unable to operate even pediatric hospitals and waterworks in North Korea, and that because of sanctions, even the video conferencing service "Zoom" cannot be used, preventing overseas experts from holding meetings or even providing education with North Korean medical staff.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.