The earth is parched and cracked here in North Korea.<br/> <br />According to state media KCNA, a drought has taken hold in the west of the country.<br/> <br />These were once lush corn and rice fields.<br/> <br />Now these crops are withering away, with nearly 20,000 heactares damaged in one province.<br/> <br />One farmer says the dry spell has stunted his crops.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) PAEK YONG-CHOL, MANAGEMENT BOARD CHAIRMAN OF KOYON CO-OP FARM, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The corn of this species is harvested around late July after a growth period of 80-85 days, but this corn has not matured fully due to the severe drought."<br/> <br />South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported the drought in the North was expected to exacerbate chronic food shortages in the impoverished country.<br/> <br />According to the United Nations' food agency, three million North Koreans are in urgent need of food aid.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
