Why is North Korea pushing a timely rice harvest in 2026?

The call is tied to meeting targets under the five-year national economic plan. Rodong Sinmun framed the harvest as central to showing annual economic results and lifting confidence in the country’s economy.

What did Rodong Sinmun say about North Korea’s fall harvest?

The paper said the fall harvest is the most important and urgent task and devoted its front page to related articles and a commentary. It also said the agriculture sector is the first to reveal the year’s business results.

What role does agricultural mechanization play in Kim Jong-un’s economic plan?

The article says Kim Jong-un highlighted agricultural mechanization when he announced the five-year plan in February. Rodong Sinmun also credited growing mechanization in the fields for this year’s harvest outlook.

N. Korea urges timely rice harvest to meet economic targets

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Summary

North Korea on Monday urged people to complete the rice harvest on time as part of efforts to meet targets under its five-year national economic plan. Rodong Sinmun devoted its front page to harvest coverage and said a successful crop would boost confidence and the economy. The paper also praised growing mechanization in farming. Kim Jong-un unveiled the five-year plan at a party congress in February and stressed agricultural mechanization.

Key Facts

Rodong Sinmun said agriculture is the first sector that shows the results of the year’s business and that there is no task more important or urgent than the fall harvest.
The newspaper said a successful harvest would inspire confidence and optimism and reinvigorate the nation’s economy.
Kim Jong-un announced the new five-year economic plan during a key party congress in February.
Kim stressed agricultural mechanization as a way to increase crop output.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 21, 2026 11:47 am KST

A farmer harvests rice in Kaepung County, North Hwanghae Province, Sept. 19, 2024. Korea Times photo by Lee Hwan-jik

North Korea on Monday urged its people to complete the rice harvest at the right time as part of a broader push to meet targets under its five-year national economic plan.

The Rodong Sinmun, the country's most widely read state newspaper, devoted its front page to articles and a commentary on the harvest.

Describing the agriculture industry as "the first sector that shows the results of the year's business," the paper said a successful harvest would "inspire the people with confidence and optimism and reinvigorate the nation's economy."

"There is no task more important or urgent than the fall harvest," it said, urging people to throw themselves into the effort.

The paper also struck an upbeat note on this year's harvest, crediting growing mechanization in the field.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the country's new five-year economic plan during a key party congress in February, stressing agricultural mechanization to increase crop output.

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