Food shortage critical in N Korea

The BBC is quoting a UN envoy as saying the food situation in North Korea is desperate, with aid from the World Food Programme reaching only one-third of the those in need.



The UN representative for North Korea is reported as saying, the shortages had been in part caused by reactions to Pyongyang\'s nuclear tests.



As a result, he said only 2 million people are now getting food aid.



The envoy said food supplies have also been affected by the state\'s efforts to control economic activity, particularly by restricting the role of women.



Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN\'s Special Rapporteur for North Korea, was giving his annual report to a meeting of the UN\'s 192 member states.