North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his influential sister Ms. Kim Yo Jong, paid a visit to the Kumsong Tractor Factory on Wednesday, as reported by the state media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday. The visit was marked by the presence of senior officials and showcased Kim Jong Un’s emphasis on addressing the ongoing food crisis in the country.
During the visit, Kim Jong Un urged the factory to assume a pivotal role in tackling the pressing food crisis, which he highlighted as a crucial concern for the nation’s future. The leader’s directive also included a call for the establishment of objectives aimed at modernizing the agricultural machinery production process to attain a “world-class” standard.
In light of mounting apprehensions surrounding food scarcity, North Korea has been intensifying its focus on the agricultural sector. Some analysts speculate that the factory might also contribute to the manufacture of components for missile launch vehicles, adding complexity to its role.
South Korea’s Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, entrusted with handling relations with North Korea, previously acknowledged in 2023 that despite a slight uptick in trade with China, the food situation in North Korea remains “still bad.”
The North has faced severe food shortages over the past few decades, including a devastating famine in the 1990s, often exacerbated by natural calamities. International experts have underscored that the border closures prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic have further aggravated the crisis.
