North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has mobilized the military to carry out relief work in areas recently hit by heavy rains, state media said on Sunday, amid concerns over an economic crisis and food shortage. North Korean state TV released footage this week, showing submerged houses and destroyed bridges and railroads in Hamgyong and saying some 1,170 homes were devastated with 5,000 people evacuated from the area. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has mobilized the military to carry out relief work in areas recently hit by heavy rains, state media said on Sunday. Recently, South Korea's central bank said North Korea's economy suffered its biggest contraction in 23 years in 2020. South Korean lawmakers said last week that North Korea needed some one million tonnes of rice, with military and emergency reserves running out.

Source: CBC News August 08, 2021 21:56 UTC