DPRK appeals for cooperation on flood damage recovery

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday briefed Asian diplomatic missions resident in Pyongyang on recent floods in the northeast and appealed for cooperation on disaster relief.

Director general of the Asian and Oceanian Department of the DPRK foreign ministry Choe Hui Chol informed the diplomatic envoys of the damage caused by heavy rains in northern part of North Hamgyong Province since late August, the official news agency KCNA said.

Diplomats from Asian countries such as Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and India attended the briefing.

He noted that the efforts in carrying out the 200-day loyalty campaign has been redirected to post-disaster relief and reconstruction, in a bid to help recover the flood-stricken areas.

Choe also appealed to the Asian countries for "proactive cooperation" on disaster relief and mitigation.

The floods have left 133 people dead and another 395 missing, according to a UN report given by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The KCNA said in an earlier report that the floods were caused by the strongest storms and heaviest downpours since 1945.

The ruling Workers' Party of Korea has made it a top priority to rebuild the disaster-hit cities and counties, where tens of thousands were displaced and key infrastructure was damaged. Endi