ID :
193499
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 13:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/193499
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean defectors say foreign food aid goes to ruling elite and military
(ATTN: RECASTS throughout with comments by defectors; CHANGES headline)
HWACHEON, South Korea, July 7 (Yonhap) -- North Korean defectors said Thursday that they have never received any foreign food aid, the latest claim that could raise concerns on whether the planned aid by the European Union (EU) will reach intended recipients in the isolated country.
There was no immediate way to independently verify the claim, but there have been widespread allegations that the North has diverted outside food aid to its ruling elite and military, a key backbone of leader Kim Jong-il's iron-fisted rule.
"North Korean residents never saw foreign food aid, though they heard about it," a North Korean defector, who identified himself only by his family name Kim, told reporters.
Kim, who crossed the heavily fortified border into South Korea about a year ago, said he had heard that the outside food aid was sent to a military warehouse.
He declined to give any further personal details, citing concerns about his family members left behind in the North.
North Korea reportedly metes out harsh punishments on family members and relatives of defectors.
A female defector from North Korea, who identified herself only by her family name Yang, claimed that South Korean food aid ended up being sold in markets.
The North Korean government "took all food aid so that ordinary people could not eat it," Yang said, adding that it would be better for the international community not to give aid to the North.
The North has relied on international handouts since the late 1990s when it suffered a massive famine that was estimated to have killed 2 million people.
HWACHEON, South Korea, July 7 (Yonhap) -- North Korean defectors said Thursday that they have never received any foreign food aid, the latest claim that could raise concerns on whether the planned aid by the European Union (EU) will reach intended recipients in the isolated country.
There was no immediate way to independently verify the claim, but there have been widespread allegations that the North has diverted outside food aid to its ruling elite and military, a key backbone of leader Kim Jong-il's iron-fisted rule.
"North Korean residents never saw foreign food aid, though they heard about it," a North Korean defector, who identified himself only by his family name Kim, told reporters.
Kim, who crossed the heavily fortified border into South Korea about a year ago, said he had heard that the outside food aid was sent to a military warehouse.
He declined to give any further personal details, citing concerns about his family members left behind in the North.
North Korea reportedly metes out harsh punishments on family members and relatives of defectors.
A female defector from North Korea, who identified herself only by her family name Yang, claimed that South Korean food aid ended up being sold in markets.
The North Korean government "took all food aid so that ordinary people could not eat it," Yang said, adding that it would be better for the international community not to give aid to the North.
The North has relied on international handouts since the late 1990s when it suffered a massive famine that was estimated to have killed 2 million people.
