Source verified by Thai PBS Verify, originally from Threads.
A screenshot shows a Threads post claiming that Kim Jong-un cried because Thailand sent rice to help North Korea.
One Threads user posted a clip featuring an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with the caption:
“The act of giving…! Without any explanation…! Even though there may be many questions from others, asking why…? Why do they give it to those people, who may be seen negatively in the eyes of many…? The answer from the giver (the Thai people) can be summed up in words like kindness, humanity, compassion for fellow human beings, and many other reasons that drive Thais to give…! Another heartwarming story between Thailand and North Korea.”
According to a fact-check by Thai PBS Verify, the clip was originally posted by a YouTube channel and has received over 230,000 views. The video was titled: “Shocking the world! Kim Jong-un in tears — admits that ‘Thai rice’ saved the entire country of North Korea.” The 30-minute video, posted on October 7, 2025, claims that:
“North Korea recently faced a severe food shortage, leaving only ten days’ worth of food supplies for its people. As many countries refused to provide aid, a North Korean special delegation had to fly to Thailand to request assistance. The Thai government then donated 20,000 tons of rice, which moved Kim Jong-un to tears.”
A screenshot shows a video from a YouTube channel claiming that Kim Jong Un cried to thank Thailand for sending rice as aid.
Example of a fake video that has been verified.
The image was generated by AI.
We analyzed the video using Hivemoderation’s AI detection tool, and the results indicated a 99.07% likelihood that the video was created using AI.
The results of the inspection revealed that the image was 99.7% likely to have been generated by AI.
No reports from North Korean media were found.
In addition, a check of the KCNA website — Korean Central News Agency — for news published on October 7, 2025, found no reports related to Thailand sending rice to North Korea. There were only two news articles on that day about North Korea’s rice harvest, titled “Many rice fields have been harvested” and “The fields are filled with harvested rice.”
A screenshot shows news reporting on North Korea’s rice harvest by the KCNA website.
Thailand did sell rice to North Korea in the past.
However, a search using relevant keywords on Google revealed a report by Isranews titled “North Korea Owes for Rice! Debt Reaches 17 billion baht, Funds for Agricultural Assistance Not Repaid – 39 Cases Filed”. The news stated that the Thai government began selling rice to North Korea in 1993 during Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s administration, through the Agricultural Marketing Organization (AMO), with a Cabinet resolution acknowledging it in 1994. However, the exact quantity and monetary value were not specified.
Later, in 1995, the Cabinet approved an additional sale of 300,000 tons of rice, providing one to two-year credit terms, with the condition that North Korea repay the previous debt of $23.2 million before the due date in 1995.
In 1999, the Thai government resolved to accelerate debt collection from North Korea. Then, in 2002 (under Prime Minister Thaksin), trade cooperation resumed using a “countertrade system”, and a new lot of 300,000 tons of rice was signed for sale, valued at $50.9 million, with a 2-year credit term and a 2.5% late payment penalty.
In total, the Thai government sold rice to North Korea worth approximately $74.1 million (around 2.4 billion baht). However, there is no clear information on whether North Korea has repaid the debt. After 2002, there have been no new Cabinet resolutions regarding rice trade with North Korea. (Reference: Isranews report, “North Korea Owes for Rice! Debt Reaches 17 billion baht, Funds for Agricultural Assistance Not Repaid – 39 Cases Filed,” published on November 5, 2018.)
Isranews reported on North Korea’s rice debt, surged to 17 billion baht, with no repayment to the Agricultural Assistance Fund and 39 lawsuits filed.
Scholars suggest Thailand is unlikely to tolerate being cheated again.
Associate Professor Dr. Wanwichit Boonprong, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, Rangsit University, commented that this matter occurred a long time ago. At that time, Thailand sent rice to North Korea for humanitarian purposes, as North Korea had requested assistance. Thailand provided help in the form of selling rice, and North Korea promised to pay in return, but the payment was never fully made.
It is believed that later, North Korea received rice from Cambodia as gifts, as well as through close leader-to-leader relations. Additionally, North Korea also received rice from Myanmar and Vietnam. As a result, North Korea has received significant rice assistance from ASEAN countries.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanvichit Boonprong, a faculty member of the Faculty of Political Science at Rangsit University
Meanwhile, Dr. Paiboon Pitasen, Chairman of the Korea Studies Center and advisor at the Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University, commented that the Thai government has sold rice to North Korea several times, starting from the government of Chuan Leekpai up to the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. These were regular sales, not donations.
Although there have been some donations, the main problem has been North Korea’s failure to pay for purchased rice. During the government of Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, a request was made by North Korean diplomats seeking assistance to send rice to North Korea as well. This occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, rice was not sent at that time because North Korea wanted to defer payment for previously purchased rice and request a new batch. Then the sale did not proceed, as selling rice requires payment to provide funds for Thai farmers. This made it difficult for the State to donate rice to North Korea.
Dr. Paiboon Pitasen, Chairman of the Korean Studies Center and Advisor to the East Asian Studies Institute at Thammasat University.
Additionally, North Korea faces issues such as being sanctioned by the UNHCR, which has limited its diplomatic representation to only one diplomat in Thailand, as well as restrictions on business operators. The problem lies in these limitations. Moreover, the United States likely does not want Thailand to donate rice to North Korea, to pressure North Korea into opening dialogue with the U.S.
However, it is currently found that North Korea may be receiving assistance from Vietnam and Laos, as evidenced by both countries attending the 80th-anniversary celebration of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Both nations are communist, and their leaders already maintain close relations.
Regarding claims that North Korea expressed gratitude to Thailand for providing rice, there has been no official confirmation. There is no clear reason why Kim Jong-un would personally thank Thailand, and it is unlikely that North Korea would request additional rice. If a request were made, it would likely take the form of a bilateral discussion rather than a public announcement. Therefore, the possibility of such an event is low, and these claims are likely AI-generated, as Kim Jong-un has other channels to request assistance.
Furthermore, the current situation with conflicts in various regions, provides North Korea with opportunities to accelerate the sale of its own weapons. It is believed that North Korea is not in a position of urgent need, even though winter is approaching, and the country is not facing severe food shortages. Additionally, if a request for assistance were to occur during this period, it would be difficult for the Thai government, which has announced it will only remain in office for four months, to boldly intervene. Supporting such a request could also generate negative reactions both from the United States, which is expanding its influence, and from the Thai public.
Verification Process
AI-based image and video check: Using the Hivemoderation tool, it was found that the image has a 99.07% probability of being AI-generated.
Official news source check: The official Korean News Agency website (KCNA) did not report on this matter on the same day.
Keyword-based investigation: It was found that Thailand has “sold rice” to North Korea several times in the past, but there is no information about any “donations” or free transfers in recent times.
