A Japanese-based newspaper known for publishing information that comes direct from the North Korean government has reported that a new kind of noodle has been developed which delays hunger.

The article goes on to talk about how consuming ordinary noodles (made from corn and/or wheat) often results in feelings of hunger later. But, these new soybean-based noodles delay the sensation of hunger. They cause people who eat them to feel fuller for a longer period of time. The new noodles have more protein and significantly more fat in them. This was claimed to be a significant technological breakthrough.

The article went on to say that the anti-hunger noodles would be available soon throughout North Korea.

Of course, there's a cruel irony here. In America and most other western countries, we've got problems with people being overweight. Obesity is a growing problem. To us, noodles that reduce hunger are very appealing. We could add them to our arsenal of diet products. Want to lose a little weight? Just have a bowl of these special noodles and you wont feel hungry for hours. Perfect!

But, the reality here is that North Korea is nothing like western countries. The oppressive communist government lead by Kim Jong-il has a reputation for mismanaging its economy. This mismanagement has lead to serious food shortages before. The announcement about noodles is likely part of a program by the government to get people to eat less so that they can minimize the mass starvation that is about to occur there again.

The last time this happened was in the late 1990's. Outside human rights groups estimate that a million North Korean people may have starved at that time. It's impossible to know for sure because the government suppresses all information about it.

North Korea is dependent on foreign food aid to help feed its citizens. Last season, there were floods which damaged crops. The United Nations' World Food Programme has warned that North Korean is on the verge of another famine because of this.