Overview
Officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea is located on the upper half of the Korean Peninsula. China lies to the north with the Korea Bay on the west and the Sea of Japan along its eastern coast. The country’s landscape is composed mostly of hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys. In the western region, there are wide coastal plains.

In 2002, the North Korea government announced it had kidnapped Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train as North Korean spies. It also admitted to violating a 1994 agreement to dismantle its nuclear-weapons program by continuing to develop nuclear bombs. In 2003 North Korea threatened to test or export the nuclear weapons it had produced. North Korea has yet to meet the requirements to dismantle its nuclear program as requested by the United States, China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan.

Today the population remains vulnerable to prolonged food shortages and deteriorating living conditions. Lack of arable land, collective farming, weather-related problems, and chronic shortages of fertilizer and fuel have crippled the nation for the twelfth year. In 2006, the country suffered its 12th year of food shortage. This was exacerbated by severe flooding followed by dry weather. Mass food deliveries from the international community were necessary to prevent malnutrition.

World Vision’s Work
World Vision was created in the heart of its founder, Dr. Bob Pierce, while he was visiting China and North Korea in 1949. He was stunned by the suffering of the people there–particularly the children–and was determined to bring their needs to the attention of others. In 1950 World Vision was launched, and the organization has operated in South Korea ever since. Efforts in North Korea began in 1995 in response to its government’s request for humanitarian assistance. From 1995 to 1997, World Vision provided $5.5 million worth of food, medicines, and clothing to children and families. In 1998, work expanded to include recovery of the agriculture and health systems.

To enable North Koreans in building sustainable systems and resources, World Vision implemented projects in agriculture recovery, vegetable farming, hydroponics, noodle production, and child health and welfare.

North Korea is one of the most difficult places to conduct work. As one of the last communist regimes in the world, it is considered by some to be the most isolated country on earth. Restrictions imposed by the North Korean government have caused some areas of the country to remain inaccessible to outside agencies, so the full extent of food shortages, malnutrition, and privation is unknown. Despite this, World Vision remains committed to bringing help and hope to suffering people and has launched a project that will provide potable water to residences in a remote farming community of Dochi-ri. Primary beneficiaries will include children, patients receiving home-care services, and pregnant women. Seven potable water sites have been selected that will service 15,000 villagers. Additional components of the project include water supply and management, water sanitation, and health and hygiene.