North Korea Dispatches Officials and Supplies to Address Drought Ahead of Rice Planting Season

North Korea is ramping up efforts to prevent a prolonged drought from damaging crop production ahead of the rice planting season, according to state media reports cited by Yonhap. The Korean Central News Agency reported an unusually severe drought on April 30, 2026, prompting government ministries to dispatch officials and supplies to protect nationwide crop production.

Officials from government ministries, including those overseeing grain management, the mining industry, and the State Planning Commission, have been dispatched to offer farming supplies, Yonhap reported based on the Korean Central News Agency.

Officials from the State Science and Technology Commission have been working to secure irrigation water for agricultural use, according to the state media report. Premier Pak Thae-song conducted on-site inspections in key farming areas in South Pyongan and North Hwanghae provinces, assessing the growth status of wheat and barley, Yonhap said.

During the inspections, Premier Pak Thae-song held discussions with local officials on measures to prevent crop damage.

Premier Pak Thae-song called on officials to increase the mechanization of farming operations and to ensure the thorough implementation of agricultural procedures, the Korean Central News Agency reported. A photo carried by the Korean Central News Agency on April 30, 2026, shows Premier Pak Thae-song inspecting key farming areas in South Pyongan and North Hwanghae provinces.

Food and Agriculture Organization for 19 years in a row.