Food Situation "Tense" Due To Pandemic, Typhoon: Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un said that while the overall economy improved in the first half of the year, total grain production fell due to typhoon damage last year

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country's economy improved this year but called for measures to tackle the "tense" food situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and last year's typhoons, state media said on Wednesday. Kim chaired a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's central committee on Tuesday to review progress on major policies and craft measures to resolve economic issues, according to the official KCNA news agency. The committee set goals and tasks to achieve its new five-year economic plan outlined at its previous session in February, including increased food and metal production. Kim said the overall economy had improved in the first half of the year, with the total industrial output growing 25% from a year before, KCNA said.