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North Korea resumes food distribution

North Korea is stepping up efforts to resume full-scale distribution of food across the country, a sign the situation in the communist nation is improving, a U.N. relief agency said. The World Food Program, which has been feeding an average of 6.5 million North Koreans during the last several years, said new ration cards had been issued to people and the government had banned cereal sales at markets in conjunction with its distribution program.

Recently, in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, ceremonies were held - tightly controlled and orchestrated by the reclusive government - to mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Korean community party which today rules the Stalinist-minded country with an iron grip. South Korean tourists visited the ceremonies, and even received cheers when they carried signs saying "Korea is one".

Citizens in the North Korean capital are generally hand-picked, Communist Party loyalists who are meant to give the impression of happiness with the regime, while those living in the countryside are generally left to starve while the government pursues nuclear weapons programs and the like.