The execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, who had been the second most powerful man in the country, once again highlighted the dire living conditions and human rights abuses in North Korea.

There is growing consensus in South Korea about the need to help ordinary North Koreans who suffer malnutrition and diseases.

According to the Pyongyang Office of UNICEF, the under-five mortality rate per 1,000 live births was 33 as of 2011, and the maternal mortality rate 81 per 100,000 due to malnutrition. Among children under five, 28 percent suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth.

Kang Young-sik of the Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea said that what North Koreans need most is food.