Coronavirus in North Korea

Originally Published on March 18, 2020

WHAT IS THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE?

The world is giving a lot of attention to the Coronavirus, which is spreading across every continent, except Antarctica (“Coronavirus”). This type of virus is also known as COVID-19 and is part of a big family of viruses which can cause many illnesses starting from a cold which may progress to respiratory problems. The World Health Organization recognizes this type of infection to be transferred between animals and people, also known as a zoonotic virus (“Coronavirus”). The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of WHO has announced the outbreak of this virus in the world as a “public health emergency of international concern” (“Coronavirus”). It was first seen affecting the people of Wuhan in China. Now, this virus has killed more than 2900 people all around the globe, the majority of deaths being in China and has developed more than 85 000 global cases. North Korea has not confirmed any occurrences of the coronavirus (“Coronavirus”). This blog will discuss how the country is preventing this outbreak and how it is being affected by it.

IS NORTH KOREA READY FOR THE CORONAVIRUS?

In 2019, the Global Health Security Index marked North Korea as one of the worst countries in the world to prepare itself for a disease outbreak (Park, 2020). Compared to past epidemics, North Korea’s situation in handling this epidemic is unusually high-profile. The international community strongly believes that North Korea has been impacted by the virus and is not taking appropriate measures to prevent it. (Park, 2020). The country lacks electricity and clean running water in hospitals. It also lacks a good quality of healthy public care with no labs to test if anyone has the virus (Park, 2020). The supreme leader of North Korea claims the system to be universal health care but it often disproportionately favours the elites.

A mother putting a face mask on her daughter in North Korea. (Park, 2020).

HOW IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF NORTH KOREA WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

President Kim had sent a private personal letter to Chinese president Xi Jinping to encourage him with what’s happening in the country, with some money (Kim 2020). This was done to maintain a good relationship with China. On the other hand, this is the perfect opportunity for the United States to uplift sanctions and help North Korea through humanitarian and medical assistance. If the United States aids in preventing the virus from spreading in North Korea, both countries would potentially be able to develop a better relationship. The new relations between the United States and North Korea may also improve talks surrounding denuclearization and trade.

WHAT IS KIM JONG-UN DOING IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS VIRUS FROM ENTERING HIS COUNTRY?

North Korean leader declared to use the “rule of military law” against anyone who leaves quarantine without approval (Kim, 2020). Early in February, the government shot and killed a North Korean trade official who used a public washroom, even though the doctors quarantined him for a coronavirus precaution (“”코로나 예방차원 격리된”, 2020). Unlike other states, which have made quarantines 14 days long, North Korea has announced quarantines lasting 30 days (Coyle, 2020).

The country has closed its border with China and has isolated foreign diplomats. The embassies of Germany, France and Switzerland have also been shut down in the country. It has banned tourists, international trains and flights (Ripley, 2020). These actions of the president show the citizens of the country that President Kim’s campaign prioritizes to boost the North Korean economy. The campaign’s focus is also on increasing military morale and showing the world that they have defeated the virus (Moreno, 2020).

WHAT IS THE UNITED NATIONS DOING ABOUT THIS SITUATION IN NORTH KOREA?

The United Nations North Korea sanctions committee authorized the exportation of humanitarian equipment, including goggles, thermometers, and stethoscopes, and detecting kits to the country (Kim, 2020). This act may not have the intended effect however, as North Korea has completely isolated itself from the rest of the world and has closed all of its borders. The Security Council of the United Nations has requested North Korea “to allow equipment in, so the population can be protected” (Kim, 2020).

WHY ARE OTHER COUNTRIES DOUBTFUL ON NORTH KOREA’S STATEMENT?

The country’s media stated that the country is making “great efforts” to prevent the virus from entering the country. However, the international community is skeptical of this news. South Korean media reported suspecting many cases of the coronavirus and deaths within North Korea. The international community finds it hard to believe that North Korea does not have any confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Since the country borders China, where the virus was first found and its neighbouring country South Korea, has the most cases outside China. Other news outlets in Asia, however, believe that Kim Jong-Un has taken “unprecedented measures to prevent an outbreak of the virus.”

Supreme Leader Kim was seen without a face mask at a military drill. (Park, 2020).

HOW HAVE THE ACTIONS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT IMPACTING THE COUNTRY?

By shutting down its border with China, he has been constraining the North Korean economy. Since more than 90% of North Korean trade comes from China (Park, 2020). Closing of the borders is impacting the tourism industry, which is the only way North Korea receives trade and foreign currency. Sanctions can be imposed on coals and textiles since they are materialistic objects. Although, tourism is not a physical good and therefore is not subjected to sanctions. Isolation from the rest of the world has lowered the chances for North Korea to build new tourist attractions and resulted in less revenue.

LIVING IN NORTH KOREA DURING THIS PANDEMIC

Coronavirus has impacted people all around the world. North Korea is not disclosing the number of cases it has been experiencing. The country has closed its border, which has heavily impacted the country’s tourism industry and trade. People are being prepared for facing this virus in the country and are hoping for the North Korean government to take the best actions possible for this virus to end.

REFERENCES USED

Coyle, M. (2020, February 27). North Korea deals with coronavirus by EXECUTING patients. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10958147/north-korea-executes-coronavirus-patient/

Coronavirus. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2020, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Kim, S. (2020, February 29). North Korea has closed its borders following the coronavirus outbreak and refused the help of the United Nations. Retrieved February 29, 2020, from https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-north-korea-refuses-united-nations-1489829