An analysis by a U.S. expert on the North Korean economy indicates that the country’s agricultural situation improved since 2023. However, it is pointed out that residents are still starving due to tightened controls.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), on May 17, a U.S. private research institute in the East-West Center analyzed this in their May 16 report, The Changing Nature of North Korean Food Insecurity. Marcus Noland, the author and a deputy director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, emphasized, “The fundamental problems related to North Korea’s food situation remain, but the current agricultural situation does not seem serious.” He added, “In 2023, we avoided the disaster under relatively favorable conditions compared to previous years.”
Noland cited the absence of natural disasters as the reason for the improvement in North Korea’s agricultural situation last year. He noted, “After a decrease in production due to the closure of borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production rebounded in 2023 (as the borders partially reopened), achieving almost the highest level since the widespread UN economic sanctions in 2016.”
Noland analyzed that North Korea was able to secure more food by closely aligning with Russia and China. He explained, “After the opening of the border, China’s exports to North Korea have continued, and relations between China and North Korea have improved amid tensions between the U.S. and China.” He added, “Thanks to better-than-expected harvests and support from China, North Korea’s situation has stabilized.”
He also speculated that the strengthened relations between North Korea and Russia due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the increase in military exports to Russia would have further helped North Korea.
However, he argued that the food situation for North Korean residents has not improved. Noland stated, “The North Korean authorities have been strengthening control over agricultural production, distribution, and consumption for the past few years.” He added, “Previously, food could be obtained based on purchasing power, but now, due to control measures, it is distributed according to political status.”
He told RFA, “In the end, if a food shortage occurs, the food controlled by the state will be given to those in power, and its people who depend on the market will be affected by it the most.”