Food prices drop in North Korea despite WFP report

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Reports have emerged on Wednesday that food prices have dropped in North Korea, after the World Food Program (WFP) said the country was face to face with food shortages.

According to the Seoul-based daily Chosunilbo, food prices have been on the decline in North Korea for nearly six months.

The WFP previously said nearly a million people living inside North Korea were facing a grain shortage of 1.36 million tons this year after record low production levels in 2018.

The daily asserted that the government was releasing military stockpiles into the market, dropping rice prices about 1,000 North Korean won per kilogram in major cities including Pyongyang over the past six months.

"There is speculation that either the food shortage is not as severe as the North claims or the regime is controlling prices to quell potential unrest," it said in the report.

The report underlined that food supplies also increased thanks to recent aid from China and Russia.

After the WFP declared the North was facing food crisis, Seoul has initiated steps to send food assistance to Pyongyang by September this year.

Seoul’s latest move has found support from U.S. President Donald Trump.

South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul yesterday met representatives from seven religious groups that play a leading role in delivering humanitarian aid to the North.