Pyongyang: North Korea on Thursday called for the mobilization of the nationwide workforce and all available resources for rice planting, highlighting challenging weather conditions during the ongoing spring farming season.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's main newspaper, emphasized in an editorial the necessity of dedication to achieving the grain production goals set for this year. The editorial urged every citizen, regardless of their professional involvement in farming, to contribute substantially to the agricultural output through action, not just words.

The article noted the significance of this year, marking both the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea and the final year of the party's five-year national economic development plan. It stressed the importance of securing a good harvest to strive toward higher goals.

Typically, North Korea begins rice planting in early May, enlisting students, general workers, and soldiers as part of the agricultural workforce. Last year, North Korean media reported that rice planting had commenced on May 1 in some regions. However, no such reports have been released this year.

The Rodong Sinmun editorial pointed out that precarious spring weather conditions are adversely affecting agricultural operations, suggesting potential delays in this year's rice planting activities due to the unfavorable weather.