January
26, 2007: While China is shipping the same amount of oil to North Korea,
in 2006, as it did in 2005, food exports are down by about half (some 210,000
tons less). A lot less food is getting into North Korea, and because last years
crops were below average, the population is expected to come through this
Winter in very bad shape. Planners in South Korea now fear a flood of three
million starving refugees (headed into China and South Korea), if the North
Korean government collapses in the near future. Plans are being made on how to
deal with such large numbers of malnourished refugees.
January
22, 2007: In response to U.S. accusations, the UN has halted transfers of
hard currency to North Korea, and begun an audit of how UN aid money is spent
in North Korea. The UN acted so promptly largely because North Korea has an
extensive history of government sponsored, and directed, criminal
behavior.
January
21, 2007: South Korean and American commanders are beginning to make
plans for the possible collapse of the North Korean government. There is
increasing Chinese diplomatic and political activity inside North Korea, and
many rumors that officers from the North Korean security forces, backed by
China, are plotting to overthrow the government. Interestingly, even with all
these stories going around, there have been no arrests in the north. There is,
however, a growing unease on the streets, among the North Korean people.
January
19, 2007: The U.S. presented the UN with evidence that North Korea has
stolen up to $10 million in UN aid using a large number of scams (the most
obvious ones involve overcharging for rent and services obtained in North
Korea).
