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Despite Hunger, N. Korea Rejects US Food Aid

Pyongyang boots humanitarian groups ahead of rocket launch

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 18, 2009 6:48 AM CDT
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(AP) – North Korea will reject future US food assistance and kicked out five groups distributing American aid, a move that could make an already precarious humanitarian situation even worse, reports the AP. Pyongyang gave no reason for refusing the aid, according to the State Department. North Korea faces chronic food shortages and has relied on outside aid to help feed its 23 million people since famine reportedly killed as many as 2 million in the 1990s.

The decision adds to mounting tension as Pyongyang plans a rocket launch next month that the Obama administration sees as a cover for a long-range missile test. South Korea's unification minister said today that he sees North Korea's rejection of US food aid as its "answer" to the international opposition to its plans to launch a rocket, and as a protest against joint US-South Korean military drills taking place now across South Korea.

US and South Korean Marines move to take their positions during a live fire drill in their joint military exercises at Rodriguez Range in Pocheon, South Korea, yesterday.
US and South Korean Marines move to take their positions during a live fire drill in their joint military exercises at Rodriguez Range in Pocheon, South Korea, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek speaks at a meeting with the media in Seoul, South Korea, today.
South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek speaks at a meeting with the media in Seoul, South Korea, today.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's decision to reject future US food assistance and kick out five groups distributing American aid could make an already precarious humanitarian situation even worse.
North Korea's decision to reject future US food assistance and kick out five groups distributing American aid could make an already precarious humanitarian situation even worse.   (AP Photo/World Food Program, Lena Savelli, File)
North Korean children at a nursery in Hyongjaesan, North Korea, have a lunch supplied by the United Nations World Food Program.
North Korean children at a nursery in Hyongjaesan, North Korea, have a lunch supplied by the United Nations World Food Program.   (AP Photo/World Food Program, Peter Smerdon, HO, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
sailor86
Apr 12, 2009 1:09 AM CDT
Nothing like a good missile launch to fire up the appetite. Pass the popcorn?
BackAgain
Mar 18, 2009 11:57 AM CDT
Stop all foreign aid to all countries.
Rob
Mar 18, 2009 1:29 AM CDT
That's not really a good idea and out of step with American foreign policy. Without compassionate aid everything we exported would be at the end of a gun and we already have enough of that.

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Chosun Ilbo (South Korea)

World • US

 
North Korea • South Korea • State Department • famine • Pyongyang • food aid

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