Korea: March 10, 2001

Archives

A US State Department analysis asserts that one million North Koreans have died since 1995 because of famine and related diseases. Earlier reports have placed the death toll as high as two million. What is known, from aid worker's first hand reports and information from Chinese and others allowed to move through the country, is that the hunger is widespread. Much of the food aid is diverted to keep the armed forces well fed. The economy is stalled, with an energy shortage keeping many factories shut. Drought or excessive rain have taken turns destroying crops. While some South Korean firms have been allowed in to set up factories, this is still a very small part of the economy. The police and security agencies are still paid well and fed adequately, and continue to run a very well disciplined totalitarian state. 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close