News Summary: UN says NKorea faces food shortages
SHORTAGES: A United Nations report said North Korea's soybean production fell 30 percent and there were limited vegetables available. It predicted that North Korea must import 507,000 metric tons of cereals to meet basic food needs next year.
LONG-TERM SUFFERING: North Korea has struggled for decades to feed its people. Its new leader has pledged to improve standards of living. But the U.N.'s report said the chronic lack of proteins, oils, fats and vitamins in the typical North Korean diet remains a problem.
SOME GAINS: Still, the country increased its production of staple foods for the second straight year.
