damage to agriculture and we report from seoul on how serious the plight of north korea may really be. >> reporter: ♪ a rare announcement only north korea television and all is not well and government official says we are establishing and ac-fox5ly actively caring out to prevent drought damage and despite the pictures of lakes and general greenery it's facing the worst drought in centuries. >> translator: the first drought damage in my 20 years of farming experience and normally the rice should have five or six leaves and be about 30 centimeters high by now. as you see the seeds are too small for rice planting. >> reporter: backed up by ambassador to north and south korea. >> yes i was in north korea a few weeks ago and could see with my own eyes the drought is a serious problem. fields are drying out. there is definite shortage of water.