Second, America's farmers. We are blessed not only by a prosperous and free democracy, but also by the world's most productive farmers. Without last year's surplus wheat, our contributions to the WFP's work in North Korea probably would be half what they are. Third, America's allies. President Kim Dae Jung, a hero to democracy activists everywhere, has devoted considerable energy to bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula through his policy of constructive engagement.
Japan also supports U.S. efforts to improve relations with North Korea.
And nothing is more central to these efforts than our response to the United Nations' appeal for food and medicine for desperate North Koreans. Conclusion Finally, I want to share my experience from some of the famines I have witnessed. But whatever they do about their government, people who survive it remember famine as the worst kind of hell. They remember who helped them as those around them were dying. And they never forget who found excuses to do too little to save their family and friends.