A previous article on Techtimes covered how Kim Jong Un has decided to build a new modern hospital despite claiming that there are zero cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within Korea. Just recently, Seoul (Reuters) announced that the very first shipments of international medical aid are to be arriving at the North Korean border this week in attempts to increase defense against the coronavirus. Still, the strict border controls trickle the stream of supplies.
The difficulties of shipping into North Korea
Aid organizations are keen to stop COVID-19 pandemic. In order to clear the path inside North Korea's strict border control for the shipment of medical supplies, organizations need to acquire emergency sanction exemptions from the United Nations (U.N.).
North Korea still claims zero cases of coronavirus
According to North Korea themselves, there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus inside their territory despite Army General Robert Abrams of the U.S. Forces Korea claimed that he is "fairly certain" that there are cases of infection inside North Korea.
An ex-CIA analyst made another claim by the name of Jung H. Pak said that "It's impossible for North Korea not to have a single case of coronavirus,"
Aid organizations point out North Korea's vulnerability
According to aid organizations, North Korea is very much vulnerable to this pandemic because of its lack of resources in the health sector because of the international sanctions which were imposed over their nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
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A plea was made to the U.N. to grant exemptions to this sanction for the World Health Organization, Red Crescent Societies or IFRC, International Federation of Red Cross, and Doctors without Borders to be able to send the necessary thermometers, resuscitators, face shields, gloves, portable ventilators, surgical masks, goggles, and gowns into North Korea.
The other side of the problem
According to humanitarian sources, North Korea's very own strict border patrol quarantine measures have been a roadblock for the initial shipments waiting. The supplies of items were being held up by China despite North Korea's request from them according to two sources with inside knowledge of the matter. The identity of these sources has been kept from the public due to the sensitive information.
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In a quote from the humanitarian group, one source said that "North Koreans need assistance and have asked for it, but things are now on hold," which is a summary of the current situation.
North Korea will quarantine goods
In a statement from North Korea's KCNA (state-run) news agency, which reported on March 13, the "super strong prevention measures" of all the imported goods involve the items being quarantined for 10 days. As shown in the state media, workers in protective gear and disinfecting trains and trucks are already on deploy.
The North Korea situation
The head of the International Health Care Centre at Severance Hospital in Seoul, Dr. John Linton, said that the North Koreans are "indirectly" requesting aid groups from South Korea for supplies but had no idea if the supplies were sent. Many North Korean defectors are saying that sick people have to rely on getting smuggled medicine or even illicit drugs for treatment.
