North Korea Famine

(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5136,transparent,1,#ffffff))[''March of Suffering'' ] 'I Didn't See A Famine At First' - USAID Administartor Andrew S. Natsios Up to today, North Koreans has been known for suffering malnutrition. Due to the common condition it is considered 'healthy' since there is no signs of starvation. Starting in 1995 until 1999, thousands to millions of starving people has been estimated. This was called the Arduous March or March of Suffering. The famine was one of the deadliest famines that took the lives of many people. It further worsened due to the the state's ideology of self-suffiency, economic crisis, collapse of the Soviot Union, floods, droughts et cetera. This game is based on real life events with fictional characters that illustrate how different upbringing, social status and power has on ones life during the famine period of the 1990s in North Korea. Click [[here ->start]] to start the game: March of Suffering.

''Choose character to play'' [[Citizen->Citizen]] / [[Elite->Elite]] / [[Kim Family Member->Kim Family Member]]

You are part of the Kim Dynasty, a family member with the bloodline of the founder of North Korea. During this period of time, you are part of the rulers of North Korea. [[Click->Click]]to see how everyday life was for this family member.

You are a farmer. A person who takes care of the crops of food. However, in the 1990s due to flooding and drought, the crops had bad luck. You end up being the scapegoat. No food for you to eat, you have to give it all [[away->away]]

You show loyality to the Kim Family. This means you are seen as a good friend. During the famine you saw how your didn't earn enough to give your family food. In order to bring food to the table you decide to [[work harder to be acknowledged and ask for favours->favour]] or [[you are threatening the farmers to give you food->threatening]]

You are a child who grew up in poverty.

While your own citizen are suffering by food shortage, you also decide to strictly control the distribution of all food. [[I am eating the food->egoistic]] or [[I will distribute the food evenly->sweet]]

I was so hungry, I need to have a meal three times a day otherwise I will starve.... Thank god, I was born in the right family! I am super upset, I am told to withold eating dessert... Uncle can you please give me at least 5 times a week sweets?? The next day they could make it work, dessert during the weekdays to make it [[more fun.->more fun]]

Well let's devide the food among the elite, loyal people and citizens. Of course, by looking at their social ranking the food can be a bit more a less. If you show your loyality to the government of course we want to give you food!!! [[Approves->approve]] or [[Disaproves->disaprove]]

It's so sad that I have to bother about what I can and cannot eat.... Well at least my desserts will help me survive this disastrous period. Click [[here->last section]] to see the end.

For the first couple of years, the government divided the food among people. Though the portions was determined by their social status, meaning if one had more power they earn more food then the one who has less power. However.... After a while, the foodshortage got too much. After the fall of the Soviet Union, a huge pilar that supported North Korea fell. The help they received to manage the food shortage was gone. After a couple years, you decide that you must survive. You support starving the people for your [[own sake.->more fun]]

Hey, afterall I am a Kim member and I want my food. Why should I care? Why should I share??? I [[don't->more fun]] want to share

Well well, the 4 years of less food has finally gone by. Though whoever dares to talk bad about our rule will be in serious trouble!!! There was no such thing as famine or hunger, how dare you?!

Since the famine you decided to work even harder for the Kim family. While working you are being fed which means you can sneakly put some food into your bag or you can ask for a favour. I will [[steal->steal]] some food or I will ask for [[giving->giving]] me food

Your nextdoor neighbour is a farmer. You go up to them and demand them to give you some food every day. You end up getting food everyday. However after some time they can't give it to you anymore due to the government strict controlling policy so you end up [[stealing.->steal]]

Yes they didn't see me... They will never know, maybe just think I eat a lot... I [[continue->continuee]] everyday or eventually I ask for the favour to [[give->giving]] me food

I nicely ask, which the person in higher power says: 'well you have to become loyal like a dog listens to its owner'. After hearing I immediately [[agree->agree]] or I say: [[I'll think about it->steal]] (but in reality will end up stealing)

I have been going steady for one year, however just now the officers saw me stealing. After being caught, they told me our trust was broken. They disown me. Now, in just a couple seconds I become a second-class [[citizen->sad]]

From this point of life, life became hard. Since disloyal behaviour is punished. After a long period of time without food, starvation became to fizzle in leading up to death.

Now I've become a person who gets orded around. How fun. He is not even from the Kim family, just a higher ranking person... I can't accept this. I will get back to him later, let's [[survive->steal]] first.

You have to compile to the order and give food to the government. While your land is not rich anymore, you even are suffering from food shortage. No choice but to [[give in->give in]] or [[give up->give in]]

Either way, giving in or giving up will lead to the same outcome. You are not a first priority. The Kim family is. You end up being the one who [[suffered->sufferage]] the most.

Life is not fair. Only the people in power survive, while the others have to sacrifice.