Kim Jong Un announces new focus on rural development in N.Korea

Seoul (dpa), 29 Dec, 2021-North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to push ahead with rural development at a meeting of the Worker's Party of Korea, state media reported on Wednesday.

By presenting medium and long-term strategies for the development of North Korean agriculture on the second day of the party conference in Pyongyang on Tuesday, Kim had taken "important revolutionary measures," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

North Korea watchers were quick to interpret the announcement as a sign of growing desperation among the country's leadership over the ongoing food shortages. In a highly unusual move, Kim warned the population about future food shortages back in June.

North Korea has been dependent on international food aid for many years following a series of natural disasters combined with chronic economic mismanagement, endemic corruption and diplomatic isolation.

The pandemic has also taken its toll on the country over the past two years, with North Korea sealing its border in January 2020, cutting off vital food imports.