July 1, 2011

North Korea increases grain imports from China amidst food shortages

Faced with chronic food shortages, North Korea purchased 50,328 tonnes of corn, flour, and rice from its key ally China in May, an expert said Thursday (Jun 30).

The grain imports were 31.5% higher compared to the same period last year, said Kwon Tae-jin, a North Korea expert at the Korea Rural Economic Institute.

The North also imported 114,300 tonnes of fertiliser from China in the first five months, a rise of 39% compared to the same period last year, Kwon said, citing figures from Seoul's Korea International Trade Association.

China is North Korea's last remaining ally, key economic benefactor, and diplomatic supporter.

In March, the UN food agency appealed for 430,000 tonnes of food aid to feed six million vulnerable North Korean people, a quarter of the country's population.

Washington sent its delegation to North Korea in May to assess the food situation, though no decision on food aid has been made yet.

North Korea has relied on international handouts since the late 1990s when it suffered a massive famine that was estimated to have killed two million people.

However, the outside aid has dwindled following North Korea's missile and nuclear tests and other provocations.