{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1709835,
        "msgid": "north-korea-experiences-severe-drought-a-rare-phenomenon-1777530546",
        "date": "2026-04-30 09:31:29",
        "title": "North Korea Experiences Severe Drought, a Rare Phenomenon",
        "author": "",
        "source": "DETIK",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "North Korea is grappling with an unusual and severe drought this year, prompting workers to focus on protecting early-season crops amid the country's weak infrastructure and economy, which amplifies the impact of natural disasters. The state media KCNA reported efforts to repair water infrastructure and implement technical measures to mitigate damage, while highlighting ongoing food shortages as a major concern according to a UN special rapporteur. This drought, linked to climate change and potential El Ni\u00f1o effects, underscores the vulnerability of isolated nations like North Korea to environmental challenges that could exacerbate economic hardships.",
        "content": "<p>North Korea is experiencing an \u201cunusual\u201d and \u201csevere\u201d drought this\nyear and is making efforts to protect crops. Natural disasters tend to\nhave a significant impact on this isolated country due to its weak\ninfrastructure and economy. Elizabeth Salmon, the UN special rapporteur\non human rights in North Korea, stated in February that food shortages\nhave become a major concern in the country. \u201cThe unusual drought in\nrecent times continues in most regions of the country, a phenomenon\nrarely seen in previous years,\u201d reported the North Korean state news\nagency KCNA, as cited by AFP on Thursday (30\/4\/2026). \u201cWorkers in\nvarious regions are concentrating all efforts on protecting early-season\ncrops from the drought,\u201d it added. \u201cCities and counties are responsible\nfor repairing reservoir gates and water channels in accordance with the\nreduced water supply caused by the severe drought,\u201d KCNA stated. Workers\nare also implementing \u201ctechnical measures to minimise drought damage,\nenhance drought resistance of wheat and barley, and strive to ensure\nstable growth of early-season crops,\u201d it further added. South Korea\u2014the\nfourth-largest economy in Asia\u2014also experienced prolonged drought last\nyear that struck the coastal city of Gangneung. The drought forced\nauthorities to implement water restrictions, including shutting off 75\npercent of household meters across the city. South Korea recorded its\nhottest summer in history last year, while North Korea also experienced\nits hottest June. Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and\nintense. Experts also say the seasonal El Ni\u00f1o weather phenomenon is\nlikely to return this year. This weather pattern can bring heat,\ndrought, and heavy rain to various parts of Asia.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/north-korea-experiences-severe-drought-a-rare-phenomenon-1777530546",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}