Almost 11 million people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, known more commonly as North Korea, are undernourished, or more than 40% of the population. North Korea faces a chronic humanitarian crisis driven by a combination of food insecurity, malnutrition, weak healthcare systems, natural disasters, economic isolation, and severe restrictions on human rights.
According to UN agencies, the crisis is not a sudden emergency but a long-running situation that affects millions of people. Nearly one in five children are stunted, meaning their growth and development have been impaired by long-term malnutrition.
Food insecurity and hunger
Food shortages are one of the most serious humanitarian concerns in North Korea. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that agricultural production consistently falls short of national needs because of limited arable land, shortages of fertilizers and machinery, and repeated floods, droughts, typhoons, and heatwaves. https://www.wfp.org/countries/democratic-peoples-republic-korea
The WFP estimates that around 10.7 million people, more than 40% of the population, are undernourished and require humanitarian assistance. Many lack access to sufficient protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
UN human rights experts have also linked government policies to food insecurity. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported that the right to food continues to be violated and that some state policies have worsened hunger.
Malnutrition among children and mothers
Children and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable groups. Chronic malnutrition has lasting effects on physical and cognitive development. UNICEF and WFP have repeatedly identified child nutrition as a major concern in North Korea.
According to WFP data, about 18% of children under five have impaired growth and development due to chronic malnutrition.
UNICEF continues to support vaccination, nutrition, maternal health, and water and sanitation programs because basic services remain inadequate in many parts of the country.
Humanitarian organisations face major operational challenges in North Korea. These include limited access for international staff and strict government controls on monitoring and aid delivery.
Healthcare challenges
North Korea’s healthcare system suffers from shortages of medicines, medical equipment, diagnostic supplies, and infrastructure. These shortages were aggravated during the COVID-19 period when the country’s borders were largely closed. https://www.unicef.org/dprk/
UNICEF reported vaccine deliveries in 2024 aimed at reaching nearly one million children and pregnant women, highlighting the continued need for international support to maintain routine immunization services.
Water, sanitation, and disaster vulnerability
Many communities face inadequate access to safe water and sanitation. Older UN humanitarian assessments identified limited access to clean water and poor sanitation as significant contributors to poor health outcomes and malnutrition. https://dprk.un.org/en/10308-dprk-needs-and-priorities-report
The country is also highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Floods, droughts, and extreme weather regularly damage crops, homes, and infrastructure, further undermining food security.
Human rights dimensions of the crisis
UN bodies emphasise that North Korea’s humanitarian problems cannot be separated from its human rights situation. The UN’s human rights office OHCHR reported in 2025 that the overall human rights situation has deteriorated over the past decade, with increased surveillance, restrictions on information, forced labour, and severe punishments.
The UN has documented:
- Restrictions on freedom of movement and information.
- Political prison camps and unresolved cases of disappearances.
- Use of forced labour, including so-called “shock brigades.”
- Expanded use of the death penalty and harsher penalties for accessing foreign media.
In 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the situation as an ongoing “human rights crisis.”
UN assessment in brief
The UN’s overall assessment is that North Korea faces a protracted humanitarian crisis characterised by chronic hunger, malnutrition, poor access to health services, vulnerability to natural disasters, and serious human rights violations. The people most at risk are children, pregnant women, older persons, and rural households.
UN sources
- World Food Programme (WFP): DPR Korea country overview.
https://www.wfp.org/countries/democratic-peoples-republic-korea - UNICEF DPR Korea country programme and health updates.
https://www.unicef.org/dprk/ - OHCHR report on human rights in the DPRK (2025).
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/dprk-un-report-finds-10-years-increased-suffering-repression-and-fear [seoul.ohchr.org] - UN News coverage of OHCHR findings.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165837
In short, the humanitarian crisis in North Korea is not only about food shortages; it is also about the interaction between poverty, isolation, weak public services, repeated climate shocks, and a highly restrictive political system.