Drought, hidden drama of North Korea amid missile tests

WASHINGTON.- More than twenty years after the famine he lived

North Korea

and for which about 200 thousand people died, and in the middle of one
new escalation of tension with its neighbor to the south and with the West by missile tests, the
regime of

Kim Jong-un

faces once again the ghosts of lack of food, in the midst of a drought of months that makes fear that the scenario is repeated.

Faced with this situation, faced with a period of light rain (from January to May, an average rainfall of 54.4 millimeters, or only 42.3% of what had been received in previous years), the authorities Pyongyang began to notice the first worst drought effects of the country since the beginning of the meteorological data collection.

"It is expected that the average rainfall recorded throughout the country between January and May is the lowest recorded since the beginning of the weather observation," said the national television without giving more than details.

According to specialists, the situation can acquire catastrophic shades because 40% of the population, or about ten million people, are on the verge of starvation, according to data from the World Food Program (WFP) and the Organization of the United Nations for the safeguarding of children. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In fact, both organizations released a joint report in which it is concluded that North Korea last year produced the lowest amount of food recorded since 2008.

In response to the critical situation in the north of the country, South Korea is developing plans to provide food badistance to alleviate food shortages and keep the peace process alive with Pyongyang, which is currently at a standstill.

The South Korean President,

Moon Jae-in,

confirmed that the country would continue its aid plans despite the latest demonstration of

North Korea,

launched several short-range missiles against the East Sea after failed denuclearization

United States.

Follow the trust

Despite the voices that have included Kim's releases as a provocation and a show of power, the President of the United States,

Donald Trump,

He insisted that he trusted the leader of Pyogyang and said, "I do not consider this a breach of trust, it could happen at some point, but for now, no."

The Republican, who at the second summit with North Korea this year in Vietnam, left early because he had not achieved his goals (the unwavering commitment of the end of the nuclear program in the peninsula) He added: "It was short-range missiles, something very standard."

Pyongyang launched two short-range missiles on Thursday after similar military exercises on the previous Saturday. This was the first missile launch in a year and a half, during which time the peninsula was the scene of a relaxation marked by the beginning of negotiations on nuclear and ballistic programs.

At the United Nations, 70 countries, including the United States and South Korea, supported a statement on Friday urging North Korea to end its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and similar global peace initiatives.

Trump, who said more than once that he had good relations with Kim, admitted that he could eventually lose confidence in the North Korean leader. "It may happen to me at some point, but for the moment for nothing," he said.

DPA and AFP agencies