Heat waves, droughts and heavy rain linked to climate change could result in a "complex security crisis" for North Korea, affecting food supplies, healthcare systems and even military facilities, a South Korean defense researcher warned. From July 29 to Aug. 4, North Korea issued heat warnings in most of central and southern regions and some northern parts due to extreme heat. Droughts have also become more frequent in North Korea, with the average interval shortening from about 40.9 months in 1981-2000 to 30.3 months in 2001-2020. North Korea's shortages of medical facilities, medicine and trained personnel could limit its ability to respond, according to Son. Lastly, natural disasters can also affect energy and military facilities, Son said.