A South Korean driver checks sacks of flour bound for North Korea before crossing the inter-Korean border in Paju, north of Seoul [Source: AFP]

The United Nations says North Korea’s government has asked for help from international humanitarian groups to combat food shortages.

U.N. spokesman says food production figures provided by North Korea show “there is a food gap of about 1.4 million tons expected for 2019, and that crop including rice, wheat, potato, and soybeans.”

He says the U.N. has “expressed and will continue to express concern about the deteriorating food security situation” in North Korea.

The U.N. “at various levels” is consulting with the North Korean government “to further understand the impact of food security on the most vulnerable people, in order to take early action to address the humanitarian needs.”