With the likelihood that food is coming into short supply in North Korea, the authorities and individuals alike have implemented strategies to minimize the adverse effects.
I am keeping a running list of official and civil responses here as they appear in the media.
1. The DPRK supposedly ended rations for mid-level cadres (party and state employees), though food can still be purchased in markets. Unless the government is hoarding its grain supplies, this probably has the effect of improving food distribution (transferring food stocks outside Pyongyang), though not to the satisfaction of those who were used to receiving it for “free.”
2. The DPRK asked China for food aid. (Requested 150,000: tons of corn. Received: 50,000 tons on their first ask)
3. Propaganda extolling people not to waste food has been distributed to workers.
4. The DPRK has started cracking down on liquor production/sale.
6. Distributing food stocks to military families from military warehouses. This will hopefully take some of the pressure off the price of grains in the markets.
7. Solicit food aid from the US.
8. Officials begin to demand more bribes!
9. The KPA halts military exercises to assist in farming.
10. Propaganda campaign to educate the population about alternative foods (Good Friends via OneFreeKorea)
11. China increases food export quota
