N. Korean famine dead estimated at 400,000

Asian Economic News, June 7, 1999

SEOUL, May 31 Kyodo

About 400,000 North Koreans may have died from famine-related causes in the wake of flooding and drought over the three years from 1995, a former head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service said Sunday.

Lee Jong Chan, in a television program aired by the (South) Korean Broadcasting System, said, "I assume the number of deaths reached about 400,000."

Lee described as exaggerated the estimates that two or three million people died from the famine.

Experts are conducting a survey, to be completed in July, to get accurate information on those who died of hunger in North Korea, Lee said.

Lee was named head of the intelligence agency at the beginning of President Kim Dae Jung's term in February last year and was replaced by former Defense Minister Cheon Yong Taek last Tuesday.

Lee also said North Korea's claim that it is short about 3 million tons of foodstuff this year is exaggerated.

He said he believes North Korea needs only 1.6 million tons from abroad this year as its harvest last year is estimated at 3.9 million tons with its food requirement this year believed to be 5.5 million tons.