North Korea is clamping down on South Korea's cultural influence in the country. State media in Pyongyang are urging young people in the North to stop using South Korean slang, listening to South Korean bands and adopting southern hair and fashion styles.

Jean Lee joins Anthony Ruggiero and host Liz Kim on Voice of America’s Washington Talk weekly TV show to discuss North Korea’s recent report to the United Nations on its food shortages and sustainability goals.

“North Korea never likes to admit that they need the help because they’ve painted this picture that they can do everything on their own. So in order to set the stage for future engagement or acceptance of aid, in some ways they have to transition into acknowledging or painting a picture of why they might take this step.”