Chosun Ilbo reports that living conditions are getting worse for ordinary North Koreans and
there is growing consensus in South Korea about the need to help North Koreans suffering from malnutrition and disease. According to the Pyongyang Office of UNICEF, the childhood mortality rate per 1,000 live births was 33 as of 2011, and the maternal mortality rate was 81 per 100,000. Among children under five, 28% suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth in North Korea.
South Korean humanitarian aid has dwindled from 439.7 billion won in 2007 to 19.8 billion won last year, while living conditions in the North have worsened as the regime continues to focus on developing nuclear weapons or to squander money on luxury projects like building a ski resort and amusement parks. Kang Young-sik of the Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea has asserted that what North Koreans need most is food; however, South Korea continues to exclude rice, flour, corn and potatoes from aid packages as they are likely to be diverted to the military. Only flour for nutrition-fortified bread for vulnerable social groups is allowed on a limited basis. Experts see the potential for humanitarian aid to serve as a foundation for reunification and call for the South Korean government to differentiate between the North Korean regime and ordinary North Koreans.
