Food shortage looms in North Korea

Kim Jong-Un has berated top officials over lapses which caused a grave incident related to COVID-19.

It was a rare sign of the pandemic’s severity in North Korea, which previously insisted it had no COVID cases a claim doubted by experts.

The country has closed its borders to keep out the virus.

But coupled with international sanctions, this has led to food shortages and a worsening economy.

Mr Kim previously admitted there was a tense food situation and told citizens to prepare for the worst-ever outcome, invoking comparisons to the country’s deadly 1990s famine.

Earlier this week, state television aired a rare remark by a citizen commenting on the Mr Kim’s “emaciated” look after he appeared to have lost some weight.