North Korea Also on Alert for 'Omicron' Variant... Could North Korea-China 'Border Opening' Be Affected?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea has also started to be cautious about the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron.' Attention is focused on whether the spread of the new variant will affect the schedule for reopening the North Korea-China border.

On the 28th, Rodong Sinmun reported in an article titled "Dangerous New Variant Virus Rapidly Spreading in Southern Africa" that "amid the worsening global situation of the novel coronavirus infection, a new variant virus is rapidly spreading mainly in the southern region of the African continent."

The newspaper stated, "The Omicron variant virus has twice as many sudden mutations in the spike protein on its surface compared to the Delta variant virus, making it potentially more dangerous and deadly," and introduced related quarantine measures such as entry restrictions by various countries.

On the previous evening, Korean Central TV also reported that a "new variant virus that may neutralize vaccines" was discovered in South Africa, causing "many countries around the world to be gripped by fear."

North Korea has not reported any confirmed COVID-19 cases to the World Health Organization (WHO) so far, but it is closely monitoring the virus outbreak trends and urging through media viewed by North Korean residents not to relax vigilance in quarantine efforts.

As preparations for reopening the North Korea-China border are approaching the final stages, attention is focused on whether this variant will also affect the border reopening. The Ministry of Unification recently stated in a briefing that "preparations for resuming material trade between North Korea and China have been continuously observed," but the blockade has not yet been lifted.