Why Is Hungry North Korea Rejecting Foreign Aid?
by Victoria DeCarmine
Suspicious of American spies and rabble-rousers, the impoverished country of North Korea recently asked UN aid workers to promptly leave the country by the end of March, although workers were scheduled to be there until at least June. In June of last year, the United States drew up an agreement to distribute 500,000 tons of food to North Korea through the UN World Food Program and another 100,000 tons to be distributed through Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs.)
Presently, North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annually decreasing per capita income of $1,150 in 2007. Then why is it refusing free food offerings from one of the largest aid agencies in the world?
This recent refusal of U.S. aid comes at a time of very high military tensions, as North Korea believes the United States and South Korea are prepping for invasion. Furthermore, there have been reports that the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, plans to launch test satellites, which the United States believes are intended to test the range of future rockets.
Therefore, it makes sense that North Korean officials would be wary of an increasing United States presence, regardless of how much food it is offering. And, while it may be presumptuous to assume an impending invasion, North Koreans are taking every precaution by limiting who they allow into their country, especially with the increasing military tension.
However, these precautions, which have their roots in corrupt government self-interest, may prove to be more damaging. The fact remains that there are currently 6.9 million North Koreans who do not have the food they need to survive. In addition, the country is now entering a period in which the harvests from last season are beginning to diminish; it is too early to benefit from the next harvest. Even in the best harvests, approximately one million people still die from famine.
North Koreans need the aid that is being offered, and over-cautious government officials are preventing this aid from reaching the desperate and hungry populace.
Kim Jong-il is the Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea, and the General Secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea. He had a stroke last August, which made him seem weak in the eyes of his people. In order to make him seem stronger and more competent, and in order to prove that North Korea is able to stand on its own under its strong leader, some speculate that he may be cutting off ties with America. Kim Jong-il hopes to promote a feeling of self-reliance, rather than consistently relying on outside forces for help. And so, the 2012 plan was created. Through this plan, North Korea expects to be completely self-sufficient in regards to feeding itself, clothing itself, and providing adequate housing for all citizens.
While this may be a good intention, it is impractical and somewhat lofty. For the time being, North Koreans need help from NGOs and the United Nations in order to prevent widespread famine and death of innocent citizens. Now that the United States and its affiliated NGOs are no longer permitted to distribute food, North Korea has no choice to seek help elsewhere.
But where?
South Korea, at least not until the North meets set agreements, no longer sends aid to the North since the conservative government popped up in its capital city, Seoul. And China provides relatively little aid for its size and resources.
Self-reliance cannot occur within days or weeks. It must be learned from experts and practiced until it is perfected. Right now, if North Korea truly desires to accomplish self-sufficiency, its best option is to make amends with the South, learn its farming techniques, and go from there.
Yet in the midst of military tensions and other problems, this is very unlikely. So until then, North Korea may want to rethink a hasty ban on all foreign aid, at least for the sake and wellbeing of its citizens.
