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DPRK

Fear of famine as North Korea freezes

Mark Willacy, North Asia correspondent

North Korea says it is experiencing its coldest winter on record, raising fears of worsening food shortages and famine.

The country's central newsagency says the average daily maximum for this month was minus five degrees Celsius, while Pyongyang hit a low of minus 18C.

It is the first time since records began in 1945 that temperatures have stayed below freezing for a whole month.

Pyongyang says the freezing winter will delay preparations for the spring planting, raising fears of disease outbreaks and worsening malnutrition in the impoverished state.

The United Nations recently warned that 5 million North Koreans will face food shortages this year.

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