SeeTell.jp:  We have heard reports over the past week that food shortages are occurring in parts of North Korea.  From the Chosunilbo:  Hundreds of people clashed with security forces in the North Korean town of Sinuiju on the border with China on Friday, a source in the Stalinist country said Wednesday.  The military was deployed to quell the demonstration, leaving some protesters wounded.  The source said police officers cracking down on traders in a market in Sinuiju after the public holidays marking leader Kim Jong-il's birthday beat one of them unconscious.  The victim's family protested and many other traders went along to support them.  When it looked as though other people might join the traders, security agents and military troops moved in.  Rumor has it that four or five people were killed in the resulting clashes, but no details of civilian casualties are known.  
 CBS News:  
Severe food shortages are forcing some North Koreans to forage for wild grasses and herbs, and is causing alarming malnutrition among children, U.S. based aid groups who recently visited the reclusive country reported Wednesday.  Seven experts from five nongovernment agencies - Christian Friends of Korea, Global Resource Services, Mercy Corps, Samaritan's Purse and World Vision - conducted a food needs assessment between February 8-15 at North Korea's request.  They were granted extraordinary access to the provinces of North Pyongan, South Pyongan, and Changang, visiting 45 sites including hospitals, orphanages, homes, cooperative farms and warehouses.  "The team observed children suffering from acute malnutrition, as well as evidence of stunting, wasting, hunger-induced listlessness," the statement said.  If there was ever a country that needed a coup, it has to be North Korea.  


My Comments:  One article I read recently, corresponding with the photo above, reported that North Koreans were resorting to boiling grass and tree bark for food.  Asian countries suffer the highest rate of famine in the world by far (see previous post for statistics).  By all indications, I would say North Korea is suffering famine right now.  You know it has to be bad for this secretive dictatorial government to ask aid organizations for help.  "Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places (speaking of the last days)" Matthew 24:7.