PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has formally acknowledged that his country is facing food shortages.
Addressing a meeting of senior leaders, Kim said “the people’s food situation is now getting tense”.
Kim added that the agricultural sector had failed to meet its grain targets because of last year’s typhoons, which caused widespread flooding, BBC has reported.
There are some reports that food prices have spiked, with NK News reporting that a kg of bananas cost $45 ($32).
North Korea has closed its borders to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Trade with China has plummeted as a result. North Korea relies on China for food, fertilizer and fuel, according to BBC.
North Korea is also struggling under international sanctions, imposed because of its nuclear programmes, it said.
(With inputs from BBC)
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