A United Nations relief organization says North Korea is suffering from a serious food shortage and is in a desperate condition.

World Food Program Executive Director James Morris on Tuesday told a news conference in Seoul that the collection of grass roots or acorns has increased in the North while livestock breeding fell in May and June.

Saying wheat and corn production is problematic there, he said international aid is urgently needed.

The WFP said the suspension of its food aid to the North has affected some one million people there, and could affect 3.2 million by November if additional assistance is not forthcoming.