Rising child homelessness continues to intensify in Hoeryong, a North Korean border city where growing numbers of minors now sleep near stations and markets. The situation reflects deepening food insecurity and a weakening social structure.
Local residents report seeing groups of children wandering through markets during the day and gathering at railway platforms after dark. Most of the children are boys, while a smaller number are girls. Many are teenagers, although some appear much younger.
The surge reflects worsening food shortages that have pushed families into severe instability. Many parents struggle to secure even minimal rations, so children often leave home to search for food or attempt to trade scraps. As a result, rising child homelessness has become a central concern among residents.
Some children reportedly still have families, yet household breakdown forces them onto the streets. Parents without financial support cannot provide basic care, so children begin begging or foraging to survive. Residents describe growing worry and fatigue as the problem becomes increasingly visible.
Authorities continue organizing periodic crackdowns to remove homeless children from public areas. However, those efforts rarely address root causes. Officials often treat the situation as a nuisance rather than a structural emergency requiring policy intervention.
Hoeryong operates one child shelter, yet living conditions discourage long-term stays. The shelter houses around 50 children at any time, and food, sanitation, and oversight remain inadequate. As a result, nearly every child eventually escapes, which reinforces the cycle.
The burden of maintaining the shelter frequently shifts to local residents through neighborhood associations. These forced contributions create resentment while failing to generate meaningful improvements. Consequently, the community views official responses as ineffective.
Experts argue that rising child homelessness signals a collapsing safety net. Attempts to expand ration distribution or revive collective agriculture have stalled, worsening corruption and food disparities. Many analysts warn that emergency intervention is needed before the situation deteriorates further.
Looking ahead, the government faces mounting pressure to acknowledge the crisis and develop long-term support systems. Without action, rising child homelessness will continue shaping the region and threatening the remaining structure of family and community life.
