UNICEF and WHO Followed by Delivery of Health and Nutrition Supplies to North Korea

North Korea Locks Borders After COVID-19 Outbreak

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Following the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also delivered health-related supplies to North Korea.

On the 9th, the U.S. Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that a UNICEF spokesperson, when asked about the status of aid supplies to North Korea, stated, "Some limited health and nutrition supplies have been transported to North Korea in recent weeks," adding, "These are supplies related to child malnutrition and tuberculosis treatment." However, the spokesperson did not explain the routes or methods of transportation.

The UNICEF spokesperson further said, "We hope this shipment marks the beginning of regular supply," and regarding the health supplies that entered North Korea last month, described them as "only a part of the urgently needed supplies by North Korea."

Recently, WHO also delivered COVID-19 related supplies to North Korea for the first time in over a year. Edwin Salvador, head of the WHO Pyongyang office, stated that COVID-19 related items such as gloves, masks, and diagnostic reagents were brought into North Korea's Nampo Port by ship and are currently under quarantine measures.

Salvador explained, "A few months ago, North Korea's Ministry of Health informed us that they would allow some supplies to be transported to North Korea via the Chinese port of Dalian," adding, "This was the first contact from North Korean authorities permitting the import of medicines and supplies into North Korea."

When the COVID-19 outbreak began in early last year, North Korea locked down its borders. Trade with China was cut off, and the import of emergency medicines and other aid supplies was not permitted. As a result, most aid supplies from international organizations and groups were stuck at Dalian Port.

At a regular briefing yesterday, the Ministry of Unification stated, "There are signs that some supplies have been delivered recently through the North Korea-China maritime route," but added, "So far, no concrete changes have been confirmed regarding the resumption of land logistics at Sinuiju and Dandong."