Famine-stricken North Korea is making a number of reports about world food shortages, stressing self-help to overcome the plight.

Seoul's Unification Ministry said Monday that North Korea's state-run media carried 18 reports from July 23rd through August 17th about global food shortages.

On August 14th, the North's Radio Pyongyang reported that international grain prices were rising due to a U.S. plan to use corn for fuel production.

Last Saturday, Korean Central Television reported about shrinking world grain stocks.

A ministry official said that North Korea's state-run media emphasized a focus on self-help during the food shortage crisis.