Oregon Public Broadcasting

North Korea is asking aid groups to leave the country by the end of the month, according to the Oregon based non-profit Mercy Corps. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Mercy Corps says it and four other groups that distribute food in the communist country have been asked to leave.

Pyongyang did not give any reason for the move, but it comes as North Korea plans to launch a rocket. Washington sees that as cover-up for a test of a long-range nuclear missile.

North Korea faces chronic food shortages. It has relied on outside aid to feed its population since famine reportedly killed two million people 20 years ago.

Mercy Corps is not saying much about the move. But earlier this month, and in a different political situation, the government of Sudan revoked Mercy Corps' permission to operate there.