Kim has previously pointed out that his country is in the worst situation so far due to a number of factors, including the coronavirus pandemic, sanctions by the United States and its allies, and last summer’s natural disasters, but this is the first time he has equated the situation with famine in the 1990s.
North Korean monitoring organizations have not noticed any signs of mass starvation or humanitarian catastrophe, but Kim’s statements indicate that the difficulties are serious.
“We have many obstacles and difficulties ahead of us, so our struggle to implement the decisions of the 8th Party Congress will not be an easy task,” Kim told members of the ruling party on Thursday.
“I have decided to call on the Korean Workers’ Party organizations at all levels, including its central committee and all-party secretaries, to take another, much saltier, ‘difficult march’ to alleviate these difficulties for our people, albeit slightly,” Kim said.
According to various estimates, hundreds of thousands to two or even three million people died of starvation in North Korea in the mid-1990s.
Following this famine, which resulted from the loss of Soviet support, as well as from failed state governance and natural disasters, North Korea has been dependent on foreign aid for several years.
Some experts now point out that North Korea’s current difficulties will not lead to famine, as China will not allow it.
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