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영어

North Korea’s food security vulnerability is widely recognized, but objective analysis of it is challenging due to limited access to relevant data. This study developed a food security index encompassing both South and North Korea and analyzed the current food security status of both. Based on the FAO definition, we employed a mixed index comprising five pillars— availability, access, stability, utilization, and sustainability and 21 detailed indicators. Through an AHP survey to derive weights, availability emerged as the most important pillar, with indicators such as ‘average calorie intake adequacy’ and ‘malnutrition rate’ standing out in significance. An analysis of comprehensive food security scores across 136 countries from 2010 to 2019 found the USA ranked first (75.7 points) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo last (20.2 points). South Korea ranked 15th (60.9 points), while North Korea ranked 131st (23.7 points). The food security gap between South and North Korea was most pronounced in availability and access, with North Korea particularly facing food shortages and sustainability challenges. If agricultural cooperation at the Korean Peninsula level progresses, the food security index developed in this study is expected to be useful for setting SDG2 targets and formulating strategies to bridge the food security gap between South and North Korea.