It is a widely believed fact that increasing numbers of North Koreans have starved to death in the wake of the currency reform that took place Nov. 30.Monk Beopryun, chairperson of Good Friends, a leading North Korean human rights movement non-governmental organization, said during a lecture held in Korus House, culture center of the South Korean Embassy in Washington D.C. on Mar. 4, "After the currency reform, a number of people have starved to death since mid-January." It is known that the price of foods have risen 45 times compared to that before the currency reform.
Monk Beopryun said, "The aim of currency reform was to restore the system of a planned economy, however, most supplies to the country have been stopped, because the distribution system of the planned economy has not worked well, while circulation at the marketplace has been banned." He added, "If no specific countermeasures are taken in response to this situation, starvation will become an even more serious threat by March or April." He emphasized the need to send humanitarian food aid to North Korea.