Food crisis deepens in North Korea: Bananas sell for Rs 3,300, black tea for Rs 5,100

North Korea is facing a severe food crisis with prices of essential commodities shooting through roof. In a meeting of central committee of country’s ruling party, North Korean leer Kim Jong Un flagged a “tense” food situation in country caused because of COVID-19 pandemic and typhoons witnessed last year. According to state-run news agency KCNA, Kim also noted that country’s economy has surged from that of last year but warned regarding food situation. 

KCNA quoted Kim as saying, “ people’s food situation is now getting tense as agricultural sector failed to fulfil its grain production plan due to damage by typhoon last year”. 

According to reports, prices of essential food items have skyrocketed in country’s capital Pyongyang. A kilogram of bananas is reportedly selling for $45 (about Rs 3,335), a packet of black tea for $70 (about Rs 5,190) and a packet of coffee for $100 (Rs 7,414). In meeting, North Korean supreme leer asked party workers to work for resolving food shortage. 

North Korea’s Workers’ Party pledged to direct all its efforts to farming this year along with discussing ways to tackle COVID-19 pandemic. North Korean leer also called for steps to reduce devastating impact of natural disasters in country as a crucial aspect to achieve goals set for this year. However, it still remains unclear how country can quickly tackle issue as country’s borders remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. According to a recent report by UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, North Korea is short of 8,60,000 tonnes of food. 

Kim Jong Un appoints new politburo members 

Meanwhile, ruling Workers’ Party’s central committee convenes to reportedly set goals and tasks to achieve its five-year economic plan which was unveiled in February including food and metal production. During meeting, Kim appointed new members of ruling Workers’ Party of Korea’s (WPK) powerful politburo and reinforced discipline within party ranks. new members include Thae Hyong Chol, vice president of Presidium of Supreme People's Assembly, as a new member, and U Sang Chol, an official at party's Central Auditing Commission, as an alternate member.

Earlier this week, Kim Jong Un even ordered his government to be fully prepared for a confrontation with Biden ministration. Kim issued order on Thursday while clarifying steps North must take in response to policy direction of new US government of President Joe Biden during an ongoing ruling party meeting in Pyongyang. KCNA furr quoted Kim as saying, such preparation is necessary to “protect dignity of our state and its interests for independent development and to reliably guarantee peaceful environment and security of our state”. 

Image: AP