April 16, 2024
News

Kim demands farmers halt black market sales and solve ‘critical food problems’

North Korean leader sends lengthy letter to congress of agricultural workers as country fights food shortages

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un demanded the country’s farmers stop illegal black market sales, get proper haircuts and turn out to solve “critical food problems,” according to state media reports Sunday on a farmers’ union congress held last week, as the country continues its new year’s focus on agriculture amid apparent shortages.

Kim sent a long list of demands largely focused on worker ideology and lofty food production goals in a letter that was read aloud at the 9th Congress of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK), held from Jan. 27 to 29, according to the party-run Rodong Sinmun. But Kim did not attend the event.

Become a member for less than $4 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.