SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has completed rice planting nationwide, state media reported Monday, after this year's rice planting was delayed by several days due to unfavorable weather.
"Helped by agricultural sector workers, laborers and supporters, rice planting in standard (cultivation) areas has been completed nationwide," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
This year's news reports announcing the completion of rice planting came about four days later than last year, when such reports were published June 5, apparently due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's most-read newspaper, also reported Monday that this year's spring weather, marked by early warming, frequent rain and heavy snow, has been very unfavorable for rice cultivation.
"For these reasons, the optimal time for rice planting was delayed by more than a week in most areas," the Rodong Sinmun noted.
The newspaper also said that the installation of large water pumps has been expanded in South Hwanghae Province, the biggest rice-producing region, while substations and water-pumping stations have also been built to facilitate smooth rice planting.
Grain production topped North Korea's 12 key economic goals in 2023, as the country has long suffered from food shortages.
North Korea is believed to have imported rice from China and received flour from Russia in exchange for supplying weapons to Moscow in efforts to offset domestic food shortages.
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