Moscow—In a move aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing chronic food shortages, Russia has dispatched 447 goats to North Korea, marking a significant step in agricultural cooperation between the two nations. The shipment from Russia's Leningrad region to North Korea's border city of Rason was facilitated after rigorous veterinary inspections, signaling a deepening partnership following high-level summits.
According to Yonhap News Agency, 432 female and 15 male goats were approved for export after a comprehensive review of veterinary and sanitary conditions. This first batch of live animal exports to North Korea is part of broader efforts to bolster cooperation since last year's summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The goats are intended to support dairy production for North Korean children, addressing the severe food security issues plaguing the country. North Korea's state media highlighted recent developments in goat farming within the country, specifically in Nampho, where large-capacity farms aim to enhance dairy product availability for children.
At a key party meeting in June 2021, Kim emphasized the importance of state-funded nutrition programs for children, amid reports from international organizations like the U.N. Children's Fund, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank Group on the dire nutritional status of North Korean children. Although the child stunting rate has shown improvement from 2012, a significant percentage of children under five still suffer from malnutrition-related growth issues.