January 25, 2012 North Koreans Suffer from Starvation and Increased Restriction

In its first publication since Kim Jong-il's death, North Korea Today sheds light on conditions inside the hermit country.

“While As North Koreans face the immediate risk of starvation of such scale as rivaling that of mid or late 1990s, the officials at local levels are deeply frustrated in by their inability to deal with it. Food ration and other aid provided by government are made available only to all of party and government officials, and continue to remain out of reach of ordinary people. The sharp drop in temperatures worsened the suffering from food shortage, giving rise to death from cold and starvation. Both Kangwon province and South Hamgyong Province reportedly began to see starvation, and about 10 people have reportedly died of hunger and cold during December in Chungjin, North Hamgyong Province.

The Central Party, however, strengthened the security and tightened the restrictions on travelers in order to head off any hint of unrest. As part of its efforts to shut down communication between regions, (towns or areas?), the members of cell party members vowed not to reveal whatever happened in their own region s(towns or areas), and were reminded of punishment that would follow if they fail to keep to themselves whatever they knew about their region. Every day, all party cell agents members instruct Housewives ofhousewives belonging to Neighborhood Units, including the members of Democratic Women’s Union, not to communicate whatever happens in their own region to people of other regions, claiming that encouraging communication is part of plot by nation’s enemy. Harsh Stringent travel restriction is also in place.”