[imText1]It is estimated that North Korean citizens will endure major damage around the country due to heavy torrential rain on the Korean peninsula.
According to a Chinese report in association with North Korean news, the current flooding in North Korea is comparable to that of 1995-1997.
On the 16th, Jeong Ryong Woo, Head manager of the Central Water Administration Office, appeared on Chosun(North Korea) Central TV saying “In the upper regions of the Daedong River this is the most rain that has fallen since 1990.”
’95~’97 catastrophic flood, the catalyst for the 2nd round of starvation
Undoubtedly, North Korea’s chronic food crisis arises from the Kim Jong Il government not implementing agricultural reform. Even if North Korea did initiate agricultural reform like China and Vietnam, the food crisis would still not be resolved.
Nonetheless, the heavy flood in the mid-90’s added to the misery of the chronic food crisis.
The flood that began in 1994 decreased the output of crops that year. As a result of the heavy rain, mountain fields were swept away and many paddies became submerged in water.
In a situation where agriculture has become overwhelmed with acidification, the intense rain has affected the mountain regions to the point that corn grows only to the size of one’s finger. Corn was harvested at 0.5 ton per Jeonbo (about 9,917.4㎡), the lowest recorded figure ever.
During the floods of 1995 and 1997, the flooding at local districts of Shinuiju was so severe that a white poplar tree 6m in height was immersed in water. North Korean authorities are trying to attribute the cause of the current food crisis to natural disaster and have even broadcast footage in support of their claims.
After 3 years of incessant flooding, North Korea’s output of crops continues to diminish annually. The crops that are produced are shared amongst the military and high-ranking authorities, while common people are forced to resort to eating grass and tree roots.
No trees in the mountain, only a high riverbed
The main reason that North Korea faces such severe flood damage is the extent of deforestation that has occured, and because riverbeds are high.
For use as fuel, and in order to cultivate farmland, trees have been felled in large quantities, leaving the mountains bare. The height of the riverbeds also leads to erosion as the flood waters continue to rise, and as no real efforts are being made to lower the riverbed, when heavy rains come, the overflow destroys nearby farmland.
Even though 10 years has passed since the last severe flood, the situation today is no different. Although trees have been planted on the bare mountains, every year citizens still cultivate pieces of land due to the shortage of food.
For 3 years during the famine, people sustained themselves by cultivating bare land. However, after the government planted trees in those areas, people were ordered to stop farming. With no other source of food, people wondered whether to cut down the trees in order to utilize the farmland, or continue to rebuild the forests as the government demanded.
As the crops matured and tree branches hindered produce, people would tie the sprigs together so the tree could not grow. When the tree inevitably died, new saplings would be planted.
Even after 10 years the vicious cycle repeats itself, and the mountains remain bare.
The Kim Jong Il regime may change it’s attitude, embracing the ‘excuse’ of flood damage as explanation for food shortage
After ruining it’s agriculture in the mid-90’s, the Kim Jong Il regime did not request urgent assistance from the international community because of it’s “dignity”. As a result, more people died of starvation than should have.
Consequently, South Korea, the U.S., and the World Food Program (WFP) offered North Korea annual food assistance, which is the only reason North Korea has survived until today.
Although North Korea received aid from the international community in the late 90’s, they are not receiving the same benefits today, due to the North Korean authorities strong resistance of the U.N. Security Council’s resolution following the missile launches.
While the Kim Jong Il regime has responded strongly against the U.N. resolution, it appears that the current flood crisis in North Korea has put a snag in the regime’s plans.
A North Korean expert with political background observed that “Kim Jong Il has been cornered into accepting the resolution, and may use the flooding disaster as an excuse to finally engage in talks with the U.S.”.
It will be interesting to see what effects the UN resolution will have on the Kim Jong Il regime in the future.
