Assistance to North Korea
Abstract
Since 1995, the United States has provided North Korea with over $1.2 billion in assistance, about 60% of which has paid for food aid and about 40% for energy assistance. U.S. aid fell significantly in the mid-2000s, bottoming out at zero in 2006. The United States also provides technical assistance to North Korea to help in the nuclear disablement process, a role that could be expanded should North Korea move to dismantle its nuclear facilities. In 2008, Congress took legislative steps to legally enable the President to give expanded assistance for this purpose. Food aid to the DPRK has been scrutinized because Pyongyang has resisted making the economic reforms that many feel would help the country distribute food more equitably and pay for food imports to make up for its domestic shortfall. Additionally, the North Korean government restricts the ability of donors to operate in the country. In the past, various sources have asserted that some of the food assistance going to North Korea is routinely diverted for resale in private markets or other uses. Compounding the problem, China, North Korea's largest source of food aid, has little to no monitoring systems in place. The Bush Administration's May 2008 food aid pledge came after Pyongyang agreed to loosen its restrictions on access and monitoring.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA497700
Entities
People
- Mark E. Manyin
- Mary B. Nikitin
Organizations
- Library of Congress