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S. Korea keeping close tabs on drought in N. Korea

July 2, 2015

Farmers work in a rice field, Wednesday, June 24, 2015 in South Hwanghae, North Korea. North Korea may be facing a poor harvest and possible food shortages due to unusually light rainfall in some parts of the country so far this year. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) — South Korea said Thursday it is closely monitoring reports of a severe drought in North Korea, reaffirming its willingness to help the impoverished communist neighbor in case of a formal request.

Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo, in charge of inter-Korean affairs, earlier said the government would provide North Korea with assistance if it makes a request for help. What the North claims to be the worst drought in 100 years is further raising concerns about food shortages there.

A ministry official said that there has been “no request from the North for help,” and no South Korean civilian groups have expressed intent to provide aid to the North.

Iran’s news agency IRNA reported that North Korea has contacted Iran’s Red Crescent in search of urgent humanitarian aid.

Speaking to reporters on background, the official pointed out that the North is likely to see its crop production fall by up to 20 percent this year if the dry spell continues through early July.

More than 30 percent of rice paddies were parched due to the drought, according to the North’s Korean Central News Agency.

The North had more rain in June than in May, but the South will continue to closely monitor the situation to gauge its impact on crop production, added the official.

In May, rainfall in North Korea reached 57 percent of that recorded for the same period last year, according to a report by the ministry. But precipitation increased in June as it reached 85 percent of the rainfall a year earlier.

One Comment

nanheyangrouchuan

July 2, 2015 at 7:14 PM

More bountiful results from Badirty China’s ugly, bloated pets, the NK Kim family and their filthy followers.

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