Koreas: North pleads with UN to help tackle food gap

ANKARA

North Korea has appealed to the United Nations, asking for its help address its chronic food shortages that threaten the basic livelihood of the country's people.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said figures provided by Pyongyang show "a shortfall of 1.4 million tons in food production this year, including crops of rice, wheat, potato, and soybean".

According to UN figures, at least 10.5 million North Koreans, or 41 percent of its population, "are in need of food aid".

North Korea's call for help comes ahead of a second summit between the U.S. and North Korean leaders in Hanoi, Vietnam, set for Feb. 27-28.

Pyongyang is facing severe UN sanctions since 2006 when it first tested its nuclear arsenal violating international norms.

Dujarric said that several UN agencies were in talks with North Korea "to take early action in order to address humanitarian needs".