For the first time, Kim points to a fatal famine in North Korea out

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for another “arduous march” to combat severe economic difficulties, comparing it for the first time to the famine of the 1990s that killed hundreds of thousands.

Kim had previously said his country faced “the worst situation ever” due to several factors including the coronavirus pandemic, US-led sanctions and natural disasters last summer. But it is the first time that he has publicly equated these hardships with fatal famine.

North Korea’s watch groups have seen no signs of mass starvation or humanitarian disaster, but Kim’s comments still show how serious he is die current difficulties – which according to foreign observers is the greatest test of his nine-year rule.

“There are many obstacles and difficulties waiting for us, so that our struggle is over die Implementing the decisions of the 8th Congress will not be easy, “Kim told members of the ruling subordinate party on Thursday die korean central news agency.

He continued: “I have decided die To call on Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) organizations at all levels, including the Central Committee and cell secretaries of the entire party, to institute another arduous and difficult process to relieve our people of distress, if a little. “

Kim’s speech took place at the closing ceremony of a party conference with thousands of grassroots members of the ruling party, die were designated as cell trustees.

During his inaugural address on Tuesday, Kim said that die Improving the livelihood of the public in the face of “worst situation ever” would depend on party cells.

At the January party conference, Kim ordered officials to build a strong self-sustaining economy, die To reduce reliance on imports and produce more consumer goods. According to analysts are die North Korea’s problems the result of decades of mismanagement, self-imposed isolation and sanctions against its nuclear program.

Chinese data show that North Korea’s trade with China, its largest trading partner and recipient of aid, shrank by about 80 percent last year after North Korea took tough measures against it die epidemic die Had closed borders.

Experts say North Korea has no choice as a widespread coronavirus outbreak would have dire consequences for the crippled health system.

There are several signs that North Korea is taking steps to die Relaxing control of its borders with China, including North Korea’s own reports that it has set up new virus-fighting facilities at South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, Cha Duc Chul, told reporters on Friday, and passed new laws to clear imported goods.

North Korea relied on international aid for years after the famine in the mid-1990s, triggered by the loss of Soviet aid, mismanagement and natural disasters. The exact number of hunger victims is unclear and ranges from hundreds of thousands to 2 to 3 million.

Some experts say that die persistent difficulties in North Korea will not lead to famine as China will not allow it. They note that China is concerned about the influx of North Korean refugees over die Limit or die Creating a unified, pro-US Korea on its doorstep.

When Kim exchanged messages with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, reported die North Korean state media that Xi has expressed its commitment to “the people in enable both countries to have a better life. “Some analysts saw this as an indication that China will soon provide North Korea with much-needed food, fertilizers and other supplies, die were drastically reduced in the course of the border closure of the pandemic.

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