Ministry of Unification: "Providing Wuhan Pneumonia Masks to North Korea, Need to Monitor for a While"

"Need to Consider the Intent of Inter-Korean Agreements and Other Factors"

Amid North Korea's all-out efforts to prevent the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), on the 29th, the Ministry of Unification stated that there are currently no plans to provide North Korea with masks or other quarantine supplies.

Lee Sang-min, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office that day, in response to a question asking whether there are plans to propose quarantine cooperation such as mask support to North Korea, "Basically, we need to look at the domestic situation. Also, considering the intent of inter-Korean agreements and such, we need to observe further."

Previously, the government announced plans to deliver medical relief supplies to China, including 2 million masks and 100,000 protective suits and goggles each. Since there have been no reports of Wuhan pneumonia outbreaks in North Korea yet, and the North is focusing on quarantine activities on its own, it is interpreted that the government intends to monitor the situation for the time being.

The spokesperson explained, "North Korea has mentioned through domestic and foreign media that the efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection are a serious political issue related to the survival of the state," adding, "Overall, there is a movement to strengthen quarantine."

On the 28th, North Korea also requested the South Korean personnel entering and exiting the Kaesong Inter-Korean Liaison Office to "wear masks," reinforcing quarantine measures.

North Korea has declared a national emergency quarantine system and is taking measures to block "Wuhan pneumonia." North Korea's external propaganda media, Naenara, reported on the afternoon of the 28th, "The novel coronavirus recently occurring in China is rapidly spreading to many countries worldwide," and "In relation to this, North Korea has declared the quarantine system as a national emergency quarantine system and is actively carrying out projects to prevent infections caused by the virus."

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, emphasized in an article titled "To Thoroughly Prevent the Novel Coronavirus Infection" that "all party organizations should regard the efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection as a serious political issue related to the survival of the state and strengthen political work."

The Cabinet organ, Minju Choson, also stressed thorough prevention in an article titled "To Prevent the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus Infection," stating, "Since transmission through air and droplets is notable, special attention must be paid to this."

Earlier, North Korea banned Chinese tourists from entering the country and decided to mandate a one-month quarantine and medical observation for all foreigners entering from China, making every effort to block the inflow of the virus.