North Korea this week celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding. In its editorial, Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, called on North Koreans to remain united around the leader Kim Jong Il and to strengthen the armed forces, which it described as "the foundation of a strong nation." It also said North Korea has nothing to fear after overcoming its worst trials.
The strong tone of the newspaper notwithstanding, Mr. Kim's conspicuous absence from the festivities symbolizes the unfavorable situation in which the North finds itself. Its leadership should realize that only by acting harmoniously with the international community can North Korea raise its international standing and improve the well-being of its people. At this stage, the most important thing the North should do is sincerely push the process of denuclearizing itself.
North Korea's food supply is more than 1 million tons short every year and must rely on assistance from abroad to feed its 23 million people. In fact, the World Food Program said the food situation in North Korea has worsened this year because of floods in 2007. Although North Korea was economically superior to South Korea until the mid-1960s, its economy has since lagged far behind the South's because of mismanagement under its one-party rule and natural disasters.