DATE=2/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245034
TITLE=NORTH KOREA / FAMINE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THERE ARE SIGNS THAT FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA MAY BE EASING.
AS GRACE CUTLER REPORTS FROM VOA'S ASIA NEWS CENTER IN HONG KONG,
SOUTH KOREA'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCY SAID WEDNESDAY CIVILIANS ARE
NOW REGULARLY RECEIVING FOOD.
TEXT: SOUTH KOREA'S NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE SAYS AN ORDER
FROM NORTH KOREA'S LEADER KIM JONG IL TO END DELAYS IN FOOD
DISTRIBUTION IS HELPING EASE HUNGER IN THE FAMINE-STRICKEN NORTH.
ACCORDING TO AN AGENCY STATEMENT, FOOD IS NOW REGULARLY REACHING
PEOPLE IN AT LEAST TWO REGIONS BORDERING CHINA. UNDER THE
DIRECTIVE, FOOD IS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TWICE A MONTH AND WITHIN 12
DAYS OF THE SCHEDULED DATE. THE AGENCY COULD NOT DETERMINE
WHETHER AID IS REACHING PEOPLE IN OTHER AREAS IN THE RECLUSIVE
NORTH.
IN THE PAST, MANY INTERNATIONAL RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS HAD
EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT DONATED FOOD WAS REACHING ONLY
HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND SOLDIERS. THE INTELLIGENCE
AGENCY SAYS MR. KIM'S MANDATE, GIVEN IN DECEMBER, IS HELPING PUT
AN END TO THAT.
BUT U-N OFFICIALS DENY AID WAS ONLY DISTRIBUTED TO THE ELITE.
OFFICIALS AY THE U-N'S WORLD FOOD PROGRAM DEFEND THEIR AID
PROGRAM SAYING MONITORS OVERSEEING FOOD DISTRIBUTION WERE SURE
FOOD IS BEING DOLED OUT FAIRLY.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS NORTH KOREA HAS BEEN RAVAGED BY
DROUGHTS AND FLOODS CAUSING WIDESPREAD FOOD SHORTAGES. THE
COUNTRY'S 22 MILLION PEOPLE ARE LARGELY RELIANT ON INTERNATIONAL
HANDOUTS.
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ASKED FOR 376 MILLION DOLLARS IN AID FOR
NORTH KOREA THIS YEAR. SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND TONS OF FOOD WAS
DELIVERED IN 1998. (SIGNED)
NEB/GC/KL
03-Feb-99 7:20 AM EST (1220 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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