Why We Know Even Less Than Usual About North Korea’s Food Situation - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Created time
Aug 15, 2022 07:02 PM
Author
38north.org
URL
Status
Genre
Book Name
Why We Know Even Less Than Usual About North Korea’s Food Situation - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Modified
Last updated December 26, 2023
Summary
Why We Know Even Less Than Usual About North Korea’s Food Situation is an article on 38 North, an page dedicated to providing in-depth analysis of North Korea. Readers learn why achieving an accurate assessment of North Korea's current food situation is difficult, given the nation's distinct culture, and the lack of data available to researchers.
Key Learnings:
• The cultural and political landscape of North Korea affects the accuracy of food situation assessments
• Data to analyze North Korean food situation is difficult to come by
• Researchers use available resources, such as satellite imagery, combined with personal testimonies to gain insight into the food situation
As a UX Designer, reading this article is important for understanding how user-centered research is being conducted in challenging contexts, and how to take an interdisciplinary approach in designing for environments that have different cultures and values. Other interesting books may include "User Research: Methods, Perspectives and Uncertainties" by Shailey Minocha, and "Stories of Design for the Greater Good: Helping People and Planet Thrive" edited by Merete Knutsen and Marino Cavallo.
🎀 Highlights
Since the country closed its border in early 2020, international humanitarian institutions, such as the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP), have been unable to conduct on-site monitoring missions.
satellite imagery and data from North Korean authorities to examine weather conditions pertaining to harvests.
rapidly rising prices on staple goods, such as rice and corn, should broadly indicate whether there are food shortages in the country.
rapidly rising prices on staple goods, such as rice and corn, should broadly indicate whether there are food shortages in the country. The opposite—fixed or falling prices—should conversely indicate a somewhat stable food supply.
In North Korea, the spring cropping season stretches from April-October and coincides with the main rainy season.
lack of sufficient snow the past winter poses a significant problem for this year’s winter crops
Since the country closed its border in early 2020, international humanitarian institutions, such as the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP), have been unable to conduct on-site monitoring missions.
satellite imagery and data from North Korean authorities to examine weather conditions pertaining to harvests.
rapidly rising prices on staple goods, such as rice and corn, should broadly indicate whether there are food shortages in the country.
rapidly rising prices on staple goods, such as rice and corn, should broadly indicate whether there are food shortages in the country. The opposite—fixed or falling prices—should conversely indicate a somewhat stable food supply.
In North Korea, the spring cropping season stretches from April-October and coincides with the main rainy season.
lack of sufficient snow the past winter poses a significant problem for this year’s winter crops
