North Korea: "Triple Hardships of COVID-19, Prolonged Sanctions, and Flood Damage Comparable to War"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] North Korea has highlighted the severity of the 'triple hardship' caused by COVID-19, prolonged sanctions, and flood damage from heavy rains, describing the situation as comparable to war.

Amid discussions between our government and the United States on humanitarian aid to North Korea, Pyongyang's unprecedented emphasis on its difficult circumstances has drawn attention to whether this will lead to future inter-Korean and North Korea-US talks.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, stated on the front page editorial titled "Let us break through hardships with extraordinary strength and passion and advance again and again toward a great new victory" on the 9th, "The unprecedented global health crisis, prolonged blockade, and difficulties caused by abnormal weather phenomena due to disasters have become a trial as severe as a war situation."

It continued, emphasizing North Korea's unprecedentedly difficult situation by using expressions such as "everything is scarce and difficult today" and "unprecedented hardships never before experienced."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, at the 7th National Veterans Congress last month, General Secretary Kim Jong-un described the difficulties caused by COVID-19 and sanctions as "trials no less than a war situation." He added natural disasters to mention the triple hardship situation.

Earlier this month, floods occurred in South Hamgyong Province, submerging about 1,170 households and forcing approximately 5,000 residents to evacuate urgently.

Last year, the Komdok area, the largest mineral producer in South Hamgyong Province, suffered typhoon damage, and natural disasters continued with flood damage in North Hwanghae Province and Kangwon Province.

However, despite these flood damages, North Korea continues to call for "self-reliance."

The newspaper asserted, "All party members and workers must confront the difficulties head-on, break through them, and open a great prosperous era of national rejuvenation through self-reliance," adding, "We must firmly establish a spirit of leading the world through development and creation in our own way by producing everything with our own hands and finding resources in our own land."

Last year as well, immediately after flood damage, General Secretary Kim personally affirmed that North Korea would not accept external aid.