North Korea celebrates birthday despite food shortages

Senior North Korean officials have described the country's current economic difficulties as temporary.

The North Korean news agency said speakers at a mass meeting in Pyongyang to celebrate the birthday of the North Korean leader, Kim Chong-il, expressed the belief that the people would achieve progress and prosperity and realise reunification under Kim's leadership.

The Korean Workers' Party central committee secretary, Ch'oe T'ae-pok, urged what he called a great upsurge in socialist construction.

The official celebrations have taken place despite severe food shortages in the country.

The United Nations says nearly all children in North Korea are suffering from malnutrition and has appealed for international aid of more than four-hundred-million dollars.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service