North Korea to halt nuclear activities in exchange of food aid from US

Food is the need of the hour - not nuke bombs. North Korea is keen to halt its nuclear programs if it gets assurance from the US on food aid – that is the gist of what the new and youthful leader Kim Jong Un has made.

North Korea had suffered a large famine in 1990 that killed thousands and faces a serious food shortage which is leading to ‘slow starvation’.

It seems Pyongyang has said that it would agree to suspend its uranium enrichment underway at a major facility and would also refrain from missile and nuclear tests it US agrees to its proposal.

This announcement by the new leader is an indication that North Korea wants to improve its ties with the US and wants simultaneous acceptance by the international community.

US secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while welcoming this statement of North Korea has termed it as a ‘modest step’ and ‘a reminder that the world is transforming around us.’

The UN had imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2009 when it went ahead with its 2nd nuclear test by firing a long-range rocket. Later, in 2010, it unveiled its second nuclear enrichment plant.

A package for 240,000 metric tons of food is being planned to be given by the US to North Korea – there were apprehensions that the food in the form of rice and wheat might land up in the inventory of the military. But during talks held in Beijing, North Korea has dropped its demand for cereals and, instead, want food meant for children and pregnant mothers.