North Korea Described as “Pathetic State” Unable to Provide Basic Necessities to Citizens

On the 15th, North Korea decided to abolish the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, the National Economic Cooperation Bureau, and the Geumgangsan International Tourism Administration, which have been in charge of inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, at the 10th meeting of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 16th. In his policy speech, Chairman Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of reflecting in the constitution the issue of “completely occupying, pacifying, and reclaiming South Korea in the event of war and incorporating it into the territory of the Republic”./Yonhap News

The government has analyzed that the state of North Korea, under Chairman Kim Jong Un, is very pathetic, failing to meet even the most basic conditions, including the deepening gap between Pyongyang and the provinces, despite the emphasis on local development.

Recently, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul also mentioned the food shortage in North Korea in an interview, and Chairman Kim is shifting internal shortages to the outside, intensifying the offensive against the South.

A government official met with reporters on the 25th and diagnosed, “North Korea is a system that concentrates resources on Pyongyang to secure the support of the core layer for the regime, but as international sanctions against North Korea and the blockade due to COVID-19 continue, resources have become increasingly scarce, and the gap between Pyongyang and the provinces has likely widened.”

The official said, “The difference between Pyongyang and the provinces has become so serious that North Korean authorities seem to have judged that really bold measures are needed.”

He added, “As mentioned in the Korean Central News Agency this time, North Korea has neglected people’s livelihood and provoked international sanctions and isolation through weapon development and provocations.”

He continued, “It appears that North Korea is chasing two rabbits, weapon development and local development, with scarce resources,” and said, “We need to watch the sincerity of North Korea’s emphasis on the improvement of people’s livelihood while considering the 20×10 policy for local development as a major and historic decision.”

Earlier, the agency reported that Chairman Kim pointed out at the expanded political bureau meeting held on the 23rd and 24th that “we are unable to provide even the most basic necessities of life, such as staple food, foodstuffs, and consumer goods, to local people,” and called it a “very pathetic state.”

By. Young Hoon Park