February 15, 2026Feb 15, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

United States, society where ‘the rich get ever richer and the poor get ever poorer’

Date: 17/10/2024 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

The bipolar division of the rich getting ever richer and the poor getting poorer has been dramatically aggravated in the United States, which clamours for the “equality of all people” and “welfare for all”, and such phenomenon is emerging as a serious issue leading to social division.

The US Department of Agriculture has recently reported that 18 million families, or 13.5 percent of the total number of households in the US, suffered from starvation last year.

This is the largest number in the past ten years, and 6.8 million families are in a very serious state. In particular, food shortage worsened among low-income citizens during the world-sweeping pandemic.

Last year, the gap between the rich and the poor in the US reached the most serious level since the Great Economic Depression in 1929.

In the third quarter of 2023, 66.6 percent of the US total wealth was possessed by 10 percent of people earning the highest income. The wealth owned by low-income earners accounting for 50 percent of the population was only 2.6 percent of the total wealth.

Though many working people are subjected to backbreaking labour all day long, their wages are so low that they find it hard to eke out their living.

Low-income families cannot pay for their basic living, including food, rent and electricity tax, and therefore they are burdened with heavy debts.

The sky-rocketing price of goods makes people’s life more difficult. According to an opinion poll, 74 percent of respondents asserted that the increase in food prices is worsening their financial situation.

Many homeless people wander about streets that are said to be flourishing and luxurious, and their number is increasing day by day.

According to information published in December 2023, American vagrants numbered more than 650 000, a record high since statistics collection started in 2007. Forty percent of them live in streets, abandoned buildings or other places with poor conditions.

Many people who can no longer live in the abject reality are seized with extreme pessimism and despair and commit suicide. The number of suicides in the country reaches about 50 000 every year.

Even though productivity grows, broad working masses cannot be freed from poverty and all afflictions, but polarization of the rich getting ever richer and the poor getting poorer is becoming more serious. This is the reality of American society.

More From Pyongyang Times

National youth and children's festival of loyalty opens

National youth and children's festival of loyalty opens

The 25th National Youth and Children's Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,

February 14, 2026

The 25th National Youth and Children's Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,

Iranian FM clarifies stand to defend national interests

Iranian FM clarifies stand to defend national interests

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed the stand to defend national interests on February 5. He said that Iran

February 13, 2026

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed the stand to defend national interests on February 5. He said that Iran

Russian FM issues statement on expiration of New START

Russian FM issues statement on expiration of New START

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on February 4 with regard to the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction

February 12, 2026

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on February 4 with regard to the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction

Top 10 players of DPRK for 2025 (2)

Top 10 players of DPRK for 2025 (2)

With overwhelming superiority O Kyong Ryong, Merited Athlete and wrestler of the Pyongyang Sports Club, was born into a farmer’s

February 12, 2026

With overwhelming superiority O Kyong Ryong, Merited Athlete and wrestler of the Pyongyang Sports Club, was born into a farmer’s

Iranian FM criticizes inappropriate behaviour of German chancellor

Iranian FM criticizes inappropriate behaviour of German chancellor

The Iranian foreign minister censured the German chancellor for inappropriate behaviour through an SNS on February 5. Germany that

February 12, 2026

The Iranian foreign minister censured the German chancellor for inappropriate behaviour through an SNS on February 5. Germany that

Factory increases school uniform production

Factory increases school uniform production

The Nampho Municipal School Uniform Factory is putting spurs to the production of uniforms for the new school year. The factory

February 12, 2026

The Nampho Municipal School Uniform Factory is putting spurs to the production of uniforms for the new school year. The factory

Great golden age of construction brings great transformation (2)

Great golden age of construction brings great transformation (2)

The Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in December 2021 put forward a

February 11, 2026

The Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in December 2021 put forward a

Integrated school built in Rangnang District

Integrated school built in Rangnang District

Jonjin Senior Middle School in Rangnang District was newly built as an integrated one in November last year. An integrated school

February 11, 2026

Jonjin Senior Middle School in Rangnang District was newly built as an integrated one in November last year. An integrated school

Russian president refers to economic issue

Russian president refers to economic issue

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the economic issue at a conference held on February 4. The inflation rate decreased

February 10, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the economic issue at a conference held on February 4. The inflation rate decreased

China condemns Japan’s ambition for rearmament

China condemns Japan’s ambition for rearmament

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China denounced the Japanese right-wing forces’ ambition for rearmament at a pr

February 10, 2026

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China denounced the Japanese right-wing forces’ ambition for rearmament at a pr

More Articles