1.  Which 5 countries took part in the 6 party talks with North Korea?  What agreement did North Korea sign on September 19?  What new demand did North Korea make a day after signing the agreement?  How did Secretary of State Rice explain her lack of concern over this new development?  Who is Chuck Downs?  What concern does he have about the additional demand?

2.  How did North Korea negotiate aid from the U.S. in 1994?  How did they break their end of the bargain?

3.  What organization runs the World Food Program (WFP)?  Name the top 12 countries that fund 93% of the WFP budget.  What percent of that amount was given by the U.S. in 2000?

4.  How many North Koreans does the WFP feed every year?  For how many years has the WFP been sending emergency food aid to North Korea? (para. 8)  What is the purpose of the WFP?  How much money did the U.S. give to the WFP this year?  Click here for the WFP website.

5.  What would motivate North Korea to discontinue receiving food aid from the WFP? (para. 12, 13, 20)  What do you think would motivate South Korea and China to provide aid without requiring accountability for distribution? 

6.  What is the current problem with the aid the WFP gives to North Korea? (para. 14-15) Why do the WFP staff in North Korea responsible for monitoring the program feel that they are not able to do a good job? (para. 17-18)

7.  Why does the information from North Korean refugees cause the WFP to doubt the effectiveness of their program? (para. 21)

8.  The following are links to articles describing other types of aid that the U.S. has given to North Korea.  Skim the articles (headline, 1st paragraph) and descirbe that other aid.
Fox News article,  CNN article
How does the U.S. government's concern for the people of North Korea contrast with that of their leader for life, Kim Jong Il?  What one adjective best describes Kim Jong Il?  Explain your answer.

9.  Research some ways that private religious charities in the U.S., such as the Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse and others, help the people of North Korea.  What specific challenges do you think they face trying to help the North Korean people?  (Do you have a favorite charity?  Are they currently able to help North Korea?) 

For Christians, how does Psalm 37 from the Old Testament give us hope that relief will come to the people of North Korea?  Click here for Psalm 37.