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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsInjured defector's parasites and diet hint at hard life in North Korea
Parasitic worms found in a North Korean soldier, critically injured during a desperate defection, highlight nutrition and hygiene problems that experts say have plagued the isolated country for decades.
At a briefing on Wednesday, lead surgeon Lee Cook-jong displayed photos showing dozens of flesh-colored parasites - including one 27 cm (10.6 in) long - removed from the wounded soldier's digestive tract during a series of surgeries to save his life.
"In my over 20 year-long career as a surgeon, I have only seen something like this in a textbook," Lee said.
The parasites, along with kernels of corn in his stomach, may confirm what many experts and previous defectors have described about the food and hygiene situation for many North Koreans.
"Although we do not have solid figures showing health conditions of North Korea, medical experts assume that parasite infection problems and serious health issues have been prevalent in the country," said Choi Min-Ho, a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine who specializes in parasites.
The soldier's condition was "not surprising at all considering the norths hygiene and parasite problems," he said.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/injured-defectors-parasites-and-diet-hint-at-hard-life-in-north-korea/ar-BBF4jVa?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=edgsp
BigmanPigman
(51,611 posts)in an assortment of ways but little info ever gets out of the country. They are sick, poor, and completely brainwashed. I think that is what the GOP has planned for the US.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)oneshooter
(8,614 posts)Does not bode well for the civil population.
Calculating
(2,955 posts)People aren't meant to live in such wretched and freedomless conditions, lacking in basic dignity and human rights. Unfortunately I don't know what can be done to help these poor souls outside of military action against the Kim Regime. He's a true monster and doesn't care about about his people so long as he maintains his lush lifestyle.