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2020 coronavirus pandemic in North Korea

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

2020 coronavirus pandemic in North Korea
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationNorth Korea
Arrival dateNo information
OriginWuhan, Hubei, China

Template:Politics of North Korea There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Korea, although South Korean sources say that the disease is already affecting the country. The alleged entrance of the virus into North Korea is not thought to come from South Korea, which itself has had a high amount of reported COVID-19 cases, but rather from China, where the virus originates. Border restrictions are more relaxed between China and North Korea than between North and South Korea, which have a heavily militarized border, while traffic and black market trade is prominent across the Chinese-North Korean border. However, suspected COVID-19 cases in the two provinces (Liaoning and Jilin) bordering North Korea have been low.[1]

As of mid-March, it was unclear whether the government had successfully prevented COVID-19 from spreading, was deliberately concealing confirmed cases, or was simply unable to reliably test for the virus.[2]

Background[edit]

North Korea is an impoverished country with weak healthcare infrastructure and is subject to sanctions, making it vulnerable in the event of an outbreak.[3][4] There is concern that widespread malnutrition could worsen the spread of COVID-19.[1] Diplomatically and economically isolated,[1] it borders China, the starting point of the pandemic, which is North Korea's closest ally and a source of tourists. According to NK News, the number of tour buses entering North Korea from China increased in 2019, prompting the Chinese government to enforce limits more strictly.[4]

North Korea's government is secretive and the media is tightly controlled, making it hard for outside observers to determine what is really going on in the country.[1]

Historically, North Korea has cut off travel in the face of epidemics abroad, for instance during the 2014 Ebola epidemic.[4] Moreover, the country has had success in disease eradication in the past; it reportedly eliminated measles in 2018.[5][1] North Korea's government is highly authoritarian and maintains strong control over the country, which experts anticipated could help in enforcing disease control measures such as social distancing.[1][6]

Response[edit]

North Korea was one of the first countries to close borders due to COVID-19.[7] The government has implemented widespread travel restrictions,[8] including closing the border to foreign tourists in late January[4] and then suspending flights and banning travel in and out of the country.[7] Though many parts of the border were closed, the bridge between Dandong and Sinuiju remained open and allowed supplies to be delivered.[2]

The possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea is a concern to international organizations and observers due to the country's poverty and low-quality healthcare infrastructure. Outside organizations have provided aid to help the country fight the virus: the Russian government provided test kits,[2] the World Health Organization announced plans to send supplies despite the lack of confirmed cases, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, U.S. State Department, and South Korean government all indicated willingness to help.[1] The U.S. government worked with the United Nations to make exceptions to sanctions, though they were also criticized for slowing down the process for providing aid.[8] Doctors Without Borders provided medical supplies via Dandong in March 2020.[8]

In early February 2020, the North Korean government was reported to take harsh measures to block the spread of the coronavirus. Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, reported that the customs officials at Nampho port were performing disinfection activities, including placing imported goods in quarantine.[9] Schools were closed throughout the country; university students in Pyongyang from elsewhere in the country were confined to their dormitories.[10][11]

People were quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus.[12] Diplomats and other foreigners were evacuated to Vladivostok in March.[8][2]

The North Korean military fired five missiles on two occasions in early March 2020, which may be "an effort to ensure the country remains on the agenda for other nations amid the virus outbreak".[1] More missile tests followed in late March, along with an announcement that the Supreme People's Assembly would meet in early April. Foreign observers said the government was trying to show confidence in their handling of the virus.[13]

On 18 March 2020, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of new hospitals in North Korea, while also continuing to deny any cases of COVID-19.

Kim Jong-un sent a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in as a show of support amidst the outbreak in South Korea.[14] On 21 March 2020, North Korea said that United States President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Kim Jong-un to express that he is willing to work with him on dealing with COVID-19.[15]

Impact[edit]

Although South Korean media shared news hinting at the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic to North Korea, the WHO denied the veracity of such claims. On 18 February, Rodong Sinmun quoted a public health official reiterating the country had had "no confirmed case of the new coronavirus so far". The WHO prioritised aid for North Korea, including the shipment of protective equipment and supplies.[16]

In early March, the North Korean government continued to deny that they had any cases of COVID-19. However, according to South Korean media outlet Daily NK, 180 soldiers had died. There was no estimate of those merely infected.[17]

In February and March, U.S. officials observed a decrease in military activity in North Korea, believed to be a sign that there are COVID-19 cases in the country.[1] General Robert B. Abrams observed that the North Korean military had "been on lockdown for about 30 days" and "didn’t fly an airplane for 24 days".[1]

The underground network that assists defectors in escaping North Korea has been almost unable to operate amidst strict controls implemented to stop the virus, with defection attempts being suspended.[18] Defection rates had been declining already, probably due to increased security under the administrations of Kim Jong-un in North Korea and Xi Jinping in China.[18]

Timeline[edit]

January 2020[edit]

From 23 January, North Korea banned foreign tourists.[19]

On 23 January, suspected cases in Sinuiju were quarantined.[needs update][20]

On 30 January, North Korea's news agency KCNA declared a "state emergency" and reported the establishment of anti-epidemic headquarters around the country.[21]

February 2020[edit]

On 2 February, KCNA reported that all the people who had entered the country after 13 January were placed under "medical supervision."[21]

On 7 February, South Korean media outlet Daily NK claimed that five North Koreans in Sinuiju of North Pyongan Province died.[22] Within the same day, The Korea Times reported that a North Korean female living in the capital Pyongyang was infected.[23] Despite no confirmation by North Korean authorities on the claims, the country has implemented stricter measures to combat the spread of the virus.[24][25]

Schools were closed starting on 20 February.[11]

On 29 February, Kim Jong-un called for stronger measures to be taken to prevent COVID-19 from spreading to North Korea.[26]

March 2020[edit]

On 14 March 2020, North Korea state media reported there were no confirmed cases in its territory.[27]

On 18 March 2020, Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of new hospitals in North Korea while also continuing to deny any cases of COVID-19 in North Korea. North Korean state media also reported that groundbreaking on a new hospital was underway the day prior on Tuesday 17 March. Kim Jong-un reportedly told a newspaper linked to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea that the construction of new hospitals were being done for general improvement of the nation's healthcare system without mentioning COVID-19.[28]

On 20 March 2020, North Korean media said that more than 2,590 people had been released from quarantine in North Pyongan and South Pyongan provinces. All but three quarantined foreigners had been released.[12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Wainer, David; Lee, Jihye (17 March 2020). "Who Knows How Many Virus Cases North Korea Has. It Says Zero". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Russia Delivers Coronavirus Test Kits to North Korea". 12 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "South Korea says detected North Korea missile fire 'inapproriate' amid coronavirus". CNBC. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "North Korea Bars Foreign Tourists Amid Virus Threat, Groups Say". Bloomberg.com. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Patel, Minal K. (2019). "Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2018". MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6848a1. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Why North Korea's healthcare sector is better equipped than many believe". NK News - North Korea News. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Pandemics and Preparation the North Korean Way". 38 North. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Shinkman, Paul D. "North Korea Opens Borders to Aid Amid Coronavirus Threat". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  9. ↑ 검사검역을 사소한 빈틈도 없게 (in 한국어). 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  10. ↑ Joo, Jeong Tae (18 March 2020). "Sources: N. Korea extends school closures until April 15". Daily NK. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Joo, Jeong Tae (21 February 2020). "N. Korea closes schools throughout the country for one month". Daily NK. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "COVID-19: North Korea releases quarantined people". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "Missile tests and meetings: North Korea signals confidence in face of coronavirus". Reuters. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  14. ↑ "Top U.S. Commander 'Fairly Certain' North Korea Has Virus Cases". Bloomberg.com. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "North Korea says Trump wrote Kim, offered coronavirus cooperation". Reuters. 2020-03-21.
  16. ↑ "World Health Organization says there are 'no indications' of coronavirus cases in North Korea". CNBC. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  17. ↑ "Coronavirus: nearly 200 North Korea soldiers 'die from outbreak government refuses to acknowledge'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Group of North Korean women and children escape coronavirus lockdown". www.ft.com. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  19. ↑ hermesauto (21 January 2020). "North Korea to temporarily ban tourists over Wuhan virus fears, says tour company". The Straits Times. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  20. ↑ "N. Korea quarantines suspected coronavirus cases in Sinuiju". Daily NK. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Berlinger, Joshua; Seo, Yoonjung (7 February 2020). "All of its neighbors have it, so why hasn't North Korea reported any coronavirus cases?". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  22. ↑ Jang Seul Gi (7 February 2020). "Sources: Five N. Koreans died from coronavirus infections". Daily NK. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  23. ↑ "Coronavirus spreads to North Korea, woman infected". The Standard. Hong Kong. 7 February 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  24. ↑ "Nation steps up fight against novel CoV". The Pyongyang Times. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  25. ↑ "Work to Curb the Inflow of Infectious Disease Pushed ahead with". Rodong Sinmun. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  26. ↑ "Kim warns of 'serious consequences' if virus spreads to N Korea". al Jazeera.
  27. ↑ Kim, Stella; Hagen, Isobel (March 14, 2020). "North Korea claims it has no coronavirus cases". NBC News. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Kim Jong Un orders workers to build new hospitals as North Korea continues to claim no coronavirus cases". Fox News. 2020-03-18.


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