North Korea urges people to solve food shortage

North Korea has urged its people to make all-out efforts to reap a big harvest this autumn, saying it wants to resolve the country’s chronic food shortage on its own.

North Korea’s main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said today in its editorial that “all workers should take part in the autumn-harvesting battle”, saying it is the most urgent task facing the communist country.

The paper’s report, carried by the Korean Central News Agency, says the security and strength of the North’s socialist system depends on whether it can resolve its food shortage on its own.

The paper also quoted leader Kim Jong Il as having noted the North “should mobilise all available capability for the autumn-harvest”.

The paper did not say when Mr Kim made the remarks.