My Opinion - North Korea Food Aid

I feel that food aid should not be given to North Korea. First and foremost, this is because the food aid given might be diverted to the military rather than the needy as before mentioned. Furthermore, North Korea, upon receiving food aid, might cut even more spending on food to buy more military weapons or even the nuclear program. This would be a waste of resources as the US and South Korea would be indirectly helping in the military efforts of North Korea which both US and South Korea opposed while the needy people in North Korea will continue to suffer. I also feel that if food aid was given, the people of North Korea would not be suffering, and that the government might not feel the effects of what they are currently doing, like focusing of the military and nuclear efforts. Hence, it would be like a reward for bad behaviour and they might not stop their bad behaviours and might launch other attacks on South Korea or other countries in the future. Furthermore, the reports by the UN to me was unreliable. The information gathered by the UN are from interviewing around hundred households and most of their informations are also from the government. Firstly, the households, even though might report that they are suffering, might not represent the whole nation as the rest of the country might be well off. Secondly, the government, as we all know, are not so trustworthy. They might be exaggerating the figures in hope of getting more food aid. Scholars specializing in the study of North Korea also questioned the credibility of the information gathered from the government, and also the lack of accountability of the government, stating that such details are often used for propaganda.

However, in view of human rights, I do feel that North Korea should be given food aid. Gving the benefit of the doubt to North Korea citizens, I believe that there are really people suffering in North Korea that goes unreported. One reason is that North Korea is really concerned about their image, trying to potray a very glorious image and they would keep outsiders from seeing the true sufferings of their people. Hence, I feel that food aid should be given to these people, only if monitors from US or South Korea or any other countries giving food aid are allowed into the country. This is to ensure that the food supplies reach the intended recipients and not reach the wrong hands.

However, there is still the issue that even if food aid is given, North Korea might not accept it as they had previously refused a few food aids. They might not allow outsiders to monitor the food aid to the places that need it most as they do not want outsiders to see the bad side of their country. I feel that no matter how air-tight protocol may be, they will still cheat as the regime’s transparency cannot be guaranteed. Hence, even if food aid was given, there would be issues of the food aid reaching the intended recipients properly.

In conclusion, I feel that food aid should not be given to North Korea, but giving the benefit of the doubt to the needy people, I feel that food aid should be given, just for the human rights of the people. Thank you.