Government Denies Japan's Report Claiming Rejection of North Korea's Mask Support Request

Yomiuri Shimbun Report "Not True at All"
"No Request from North, Nothing Underway"

Volunteers from the Korean Red Cross in North Korea are conducting hygiene promotion activities targeting local residents in cooperation with medical staff to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the external propaganda media "Chosun Today" reported on the 4th. In photos released on the media's website, volunteers wearing red Red Cross vests are being taught handwashing methods by medical personnel.

On the 9th, the Ministry of Unification clarified that reports by Japanese media claiming North Korea requested mask support from South Korea in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), but South Korea refused, are completely untrue.

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yeo Sang-gi responded to questions regarding the report by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, stating, "It is groundless. It is not true at all."

That day, Yomiuri Shimbun reported, "After President Moon Jae-in expressed willingness to provide health sector support to North Korea in his March 1st Independence Movement Day speech, the North requested mask support from the South, but the South Korean side rejected it."

Spokesperson Yeo emphasized, "Basically, the government holds the position that quarantine cooperation between the South and the North is necessary," but added, "However, at this stage, we reiterate that there has been no request for support from the North nor any specific progress on this matter."

Regarding a request for comment on North Korea firing three short-range projectiles into the East Sea on the same day, Yeo said, "I understand that government-related agencies have expressed their positions on this issue. The Ministry of Unification has no separate stance," and refrained from further comment.

On the same day, starting at 8:15 a.m., the Blue House held an emergency meeting of ministers from related departments via the National Crisis Management Network, chaired by Chung Eui-yong, Director of the National Security Office of the Blue House. The video conference included Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon, among others.

The Blue House reported that the ministers analyzed North Korea's intentions behind the projectile launches and reviewed the overall recent military security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

In particular, the Blue House stated, "The related ministers once again pointed out that North Korea's continuation of large-scale joint strike exercises on February 28 and March 2 does not help efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula."