Kang Kyung-wha "Considering Establishment of 'Infectious Disease Alliance' Among Korea, China, Japan + North Korea"

"Infectious Diseases Know No Borders"
"Including North Korea Enables Efficient Response"

On the 16th, Korean Central TV reported that residents across various regions "meaningfully celebrated" the 78th birthday of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il. The photo shows a North Korean restaurant employee working while wearing a mask.

Amid the global impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha announced on the 18th that she would actively consider the establishment of a disaster prevention solidarity organization including North Korea within the Korea-China-Japan infectious disease consultation body.

She made this statement while attending the full meeting of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, saying, "Infectious diseases cross borders and bring crises to all countries."

This was in response to the proposal by Park Byeong-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, to establish a disaster prevention solidarity organization for infectious diseases.

At the meeting, Representative Park said, "Infectious diseases spread rapidly beyond borders," and added, "It is necessary to establish a four-party infectious disease disaster prevention solidarity organization including Korea, China, Japan, and North Korea."

Minister Kang said, "I fully agree," and added, "There are consultations among the health ministers of Korea, China, and Japan, and if North Korea can be included within this consultation framework, it will lead to a more efficient response to infectious diseases."

Minister Kim Yeon-cheol of the Ministry of Unification also expressed a positive stance, saying, "Considering the characteristics of infectious diseases, a kind of joint quarantine is very necessary, which is a consensus in the international community."