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Starvation Forces North Koreans to Eat Endangered Species

10/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

University College London (UCL) study, based on interviews with 42 defectors, shows starvation drives North Koreans to eat tigers and badgers.
Endangered Siberian tiger and Amur leopard parts are sold for food and medicine.
The late 1990s collapse of North Korea's state distribution system spurred mass hunting.
Kim Jong-un's regime cracks down on women suspected of breast augmentation as un-socialist.

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Story summary

University College London (UCL) study, based on interviews with 42 defectors, shows starvation drives North Koreans to eat tigers and badgers.
Endangered Siberian tiger and Amur leopard parts are sold for food and medicine.
The late 1990s collapse of North Korea's state distribution system spurred mass hunting.
Kim Jong-un's regime cracks down on women suspected of breast augmentation as un-socialist.