North Koreans Turning to Cannibalism in Light of 'Hidden Famine'?
Reports from North Korea show a disturbing new trend in rural areas of the country: cannibalism. Parents are allegedly murdering their children, or digging up their deceased's bodies in order to eat and survive the "hidden famine."
"While his wife was away on business, he killed his eldest daughter and, because he saw what he had done, he killed his son as well. When the wife came home, he offered her food, saying, 'We have meat,'" the Sunday Times reported.
"But his wife, suspicious, notified the Ministry of Public Security, which led to the discovery of part of their children's bodies under the eaves," the report continued. The man was later executed by firing squad.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
This is not the only report of cannibalism in the poverty-stricken country. As famine moves throughout the land, more and more people are being driven to desperation. Asia Press, the organization that commissioned the reports claims that they were able to get in and talk to those previously ignored by the government and media.
The country has struggled with famine for many years. North Korea fell prey to amine in the 1990s, and it killed between 240,000 and 3.5 million people, according to The World Food Programme.
"One in three children in the country remain chronically malnourished or 'stunted.' A quarter of all pregnant and breast-feeding women are also malnourished," according to the World Food Program. The WFP has helped provide food to the country since 1995, when the famine was at its worst.
"There was an incident when a man was arrested for digging up the grave of his grandchild and eating the remains," a source from Gu Gwang-ho told Asia Press.
Kim Jong Un has not spoken about the dire situation of the people in his country but has been focusing the country's resources on rocket launches. Un is still seen as a threat by the United Nations Security Council, which recently issued sanctions against the country for its rocket tests.
