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Desperate Hunger Plagues N. Korea, Forces Change

Rampant malnutrition fuels capitalist markets

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 6, 2009 8:10 AM CST
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(Newser) – North Korea has, in its words, an “eating problem”: unable to feed its residents, it has become the world’s first nuclear-armed “beggar,” the Washington Post reports. Malnutrition has led to a spate of mental and physical disabilities—a quarter of potential troops will be disqualified because of retardation, and boys who escape southward are an average of 5 inches shorter than their South Korean counterparts.

The food shortage has fueled “a drastic state of change” in North Korea, says a journalist in the region. The shortage has forced Pyongyang to allow visits from foreign aid workers, who have painted a grim picture of children’s health. Meanwhile, a capitalist underground has emerged in the communist country, with some 80% of household income and half the people’s caloric intake coming from oft-corrupt private markets.

In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center, puts a cigarette in his mouth at a factory in North Korea.
In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center, puts a cigarette in his mouth at a factory in North Korea.   (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency)
A caretaker holds malnourished infant at an orphanage in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, June 20, 2008.
A caretaker holds malnourished infant at an orphanage in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, June 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/World Food Program)
Sacks of U.S. wheat are discharged from the MV Baltimore in the port of Nampo, North Korea, on Sunday, June 29, 2008.
Sacks of U.S. wheat are discharged from the MV Baltimore in the port of Nampo, North Korea, on Sunday, June 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/World Food Program)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
BackAgain
Mar 6, 2009 7:38 PM CST
Come on this is a great form of government :)

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North Korea • hunger • capitalism • Kim Jong Il • food shortage • malnutrition

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