International Organization Aid Supplies Seem to Have Arrived in China
Ministry of Unification Implements Distributed Work to Prevent Infection
North Korea has attracted attention by using numerous 'flashy' editing techniques that were rarely seen before while producing a special video on the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The external propaganda media outlet Chosun Today introduced the global spread of COVID-19 and the country's quarantine measures in a video titled "Amazing Reality and Secrets," posted on its website on the 16th.
Amid reports that international aid supplies related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have arrived in China, the Ministry of Unification announced on the 17th that these supplies will enter North Korea via land routes through China.
A Ministry of Unification official told reporters on the same day, in response to a question about the "status of delivery of international organizations' COVID-19 prevention supplies to North Korea," "We only know that the aid supplies are being delivered via land routes through China," adding, "We currently have no information on whether the supplies have entered North Korea or have actually been delivered."
The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), and the Korea Saem Welfare Foundation have all received exemptions from relevant sanctions from the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee. The supplies procured by these organizations are reported to have been gathered in cities near the North Korea-China border and are expected to enter North Korea via land routes as early as this week.
Regarding the trend of confirmed COVID-19 cases within North Korea, the Ministry of Unification reiterated its previous stance that "there are zero confirmed cases due to the absence of official reports." This contrasts with the statement made by Robert Abrams, the Commander of United States Forces Korea, on the 13th (local time), who said he is "quite confident" that COVID-19 has spread in North Korea.
The official said, "(The assessment of COVID-19 outbreak status in North Korea) is based on announcements by North Korean authorities, notifications to the WHO, and subsequent official announcements by the WHO."
Regarding claims that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has fled to the East Sea to avoid COVID-19, the official said, "We have no information about Kim Jong-un's whereabouts." When asked whether Kim Jong-un might be absent from Pyongyang for the longest period in history, the official responded, "This requires analysis," and refrained from further comment.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification is implementing a dispersed and flexible work system as a COVID-19 preventive measure. The official said, "Currently, Ministry of Unification staff are working in two- or three-shift systems based on decisions by department and bureau heads." As of the 17th, 219 employees, accounting for 36% of the total workforce, are participating in dispersed work.
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