Famine in North Korea (1990's to Present): Agricultural Reform Policy and Food Security Under Kim Jong Un

Abstract

학위논문 (석사) -- 서울대학교 대학원 : 국제대학원 국제학과(국제지역학전공), 2020. 8. Sheen, Seong-ho.This study aims to unveil the truth about famine, agriculture reform policies and food security in North Korea. The study examines what truly embodies famine, its indicators and its consequences towards constituents. Furthermore, it takes a closer look into the rise of the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. With this in mind, it examines Kim Jong Un and his commitment to transforming North Korean society with specific emphasis on agriculture. This is an observational analysis that aims to confirm that former agricultural policies have been ineffective for a number of reasons (e.g. government and regional inconsistencies, lack of arable land, environmental issues, lack of resources etc). In addition to this, the study aims to explore whether or not Kim Jong Un is taking strategic measures to ensure food security for North Korea. In order to evaluate and analyze, first we must take a closer look at the history of agricultural reform policies to see how they directly influence food security and famine in North Korea. Furthermore, this study will examine how the historical background directly influenced many of these changes. The core of this research relies on the observation of agricultural developments and setbacks. This study examines Kim Jong Uns movement within the agriculture sector to examine whether the young leader is working towards securing food for the North Korean people.본 연구는 북한의 기근, 농업개혁 정책, 식량 안보의 진실을 밝히는 데에 목적이 있다. 따라서 무엇이 기근을 정의하고, 그의 지표와 그에 따른 결과는 무엇인지 조사하고자 한다. 나아가 본 연구는 북한의 지도자 김정은의 부상에 대해서도 고찰한다. 특히 그가 농업을 중심으로 추구하고 있는 북한 사회의 개혁에 대한 의지에 대해 알아보고자 한다. 저자는 관찰 연구를 통해 여러 원인 (예를 들어, 중앙 정부와 지역간 정책적 모순, 경작지 부족, 환경 문제, 자원 부족 등)에 의해 농업 개혁 정책이 효과를 거두지 못했음을 확인하고, 과연 김정은이 북한의 식량 안보를 위해 전략적 판단을 하고 있는 것인지 조사하고자 한다. 평가와 분석을 위해서는 우선 농업 개혁 정책의 역사를 살펴봄으로써 그들이 식량 안보와 기근에 직접적으로 어떤 영향을 미쳤는지 알아보아야 한다. 뿐만 아니라 이 연구는 역사적 배경이 어떻게 직접적으로 이러한 변화에 영향을 끼쳤는지 조사한다. 본 연구의 핵심은 북한 농업의 발전과 발전 지연에 대한 관찰에 있다. 또한 농업 부문에 있어 김정은의 행보는 무엇인지 연구함에 따라 북한 주민의 식량 확보를 위한 노력에 관하여 조사한다.Chapter 1. Introduction 1 Chapter 2. Literature Review 4 Chapter 3. Measuring the Indicators of Famine. 7 3.1 Measuring Famine 7 3.2 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). 8 3.3 Famine Intensity and Magnitude Scales. 13 3.4 Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) 18 3.5 Cause-Specific Mortality Rate 19 3.6 Measuring Acute Malnutrition 20 3.7 Importance for Food Security 22 Chapter 4. The North Korean Famine (1990-1998). 24 4.1 Historical Background 24 4.2 Mismanagement of the Economic and Agriculture Sector 25 4.3 Climate Disturbance . 31 4.4 Government Neglect. 32 4.4.1 Failure in Distribution 32 4.4.2 Issues Regarding International Aid Relief.. 35 Chapter 5. Food Security in North Korea 38 5.1 Public Distribution System (PDS). 39 5.2 International Aid 42 5.3 Black Markets 46 5.4 Ideology & Enacted Policies 47 5.4.1 Juch Ideology (주체사상) 48 5.4.2 Military First 49 5.4.3 Two Meals A Day. 50 Chapter 6. Consequences Towards Constituents. 52 6.1 Death Toll & Malnutrition 52 6.2 Impact on Agriculture 58 6.3 Rise of Kotjebe (꽃제비) 59 6.4 Continuous Struggle with Famine 60 Chapter 7. The Dawn of a New Era 62 7.1. The Rise of Kim Jong Un 62 7.1.1 Leadership and Personality Traits 64 7.2. Vision Changes for North Korea 65 7.2.1 North Korean Economy 66 7.2.2 Nuclear Program 67 7.2.3 International Political Engagement 70 Chapter 8. Agriculture Reform Policies. 75 8.1 The History of Agriculture Reforms Policies in North Korea 75 8.2 Agriculture Reform Policy under Kim Jong Un. 83 8.2.1 Field Responsibility System (FRS) 84 Chapter 9. Observations & Analysis 86 9.1 Agriculture Developments. 86 9.1.1 Military-run Farms. 87 9.1.2 Greenhouse Farms 90 9.1.3 Fertilizer Plant 92 9.1.4 Expansion of Agriculture Science Research Institutes 94 9.1.5 Reform Policy Success 95 9.2 Agriculture Setbacks 96 9.2.1 Continuation of Climate Disturbance & Lack of Resources 96 9.2.2 Unrealistic Expectations 98 9.2.3 Lack of Guidance. 99 9.2.4 Complications due to COVID-19 Pandemic 100 Chapter 10. Conclusion 103 Bibliography ix Appendix. xvi A. Interview with Professor Clark Sorenson Acknowledgments xxMaste

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