Surplus COVID-19 Vaccines Could Be Supported to North Korea... 'Oral Antiviral Drugs' Also Scarce Domestically

South Korea's Vaccination Rate Tops the World vs North Korea Among Only Two Unvaccinated Countries
Pfizer and Moderna Donations Desired but Stable Storage and Distribution Challenging

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As signs of a significant spread of COVID-19 emerge in North Korea, our government has decided to provide support including vaccines and medicines. The government plans to pursue humanitarian aid regardless of the political situation, drawing attention to what types of medicines and how much can be delivered to North Korea.

On the afternoon of the 14th, the Presidential Office announced through a written briefing by spokesperson Kang In-seon that "President Yoon Seok-yeol intends to support North Korean residents with COVID-19 vaccines and medicines" and "specific support plans will be discussed with the North Korean side."

According to quarantine authorities, as of the 15th, the government's plan to support COVID-19 vaccines to North Korea seems partially feasible. As of the previous day, the remaining COVID-19 vaccines in the country include Pfizer 7.6 million doses, Moderna 3.31 million doses, Janssen 1.98 million doses, Novavax 1.57 million doses, totaling approximately 14.66 million doses.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate among our citizens is among the highest in the world, with 87.8% having received the first dose and 86.8% the second dose. Since 140 million doses contracted for the remainder of this year are expected to arrive, there is considerable surplus in domestic vaccine supply even when considering basic and additional vaccinations for the unvaccinated.

Moreover, with daily vaccinations dropping to around 100,000 people, a significant amount of vaccines are discarded after expiration. From the start of vaccinations last year until last month, 379,311 vials, approximately 2.33 million doses, have been discarded. Excluding vaccines already distributed to vaccination centers, there are 70,000 doses with less than one month until expiration and 6.42 million doses with less than three months until expiration stored in logistics warehouses.

Facing the need to discard surplus vaccines, the government donated 1.1 million, 470,000, and 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Vietnam, Thailand, and Iran respectively in October last year, and 539,000 doses to the Philippines in November.

As the domestic Omicron wave declines and the production and distribution of quarantine supplies such as diagnostic kits, masks, and disinfectants for COVID-19 prevention and testing have stabilized, these items are also expected to be supported to North Korea. Support for medicines such as antipyretics and analgesics is also under consideration.

However, experts believe that direct support of oral COVID-19 treatments to North Korea will be difficult because domestic stocks are not yet sufficient and additional imports must continue in preparation for a possible resurgence in autumn. Currently, 562,398 courses of oral treatments such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio remain in the country.

North Korea, along with Eritrea in Africa, is one of only two countries in the world without COVID-19 vaccinations. However, there is a possibility that North Korea may refuse South Korea's vaccine donations for political reasons or may not properly use the vaccines even if supported. mRNA-based vaccines like Pfizer require a cold chain system at minus 20 degrees Celsius, but North Korea faces severe power shortages, making stable vaccine distribution and storage difficult.

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies pointed out, "North Korea has so far preferred Moderna or Pfizer vaccines and has rejected international support by setting conditions such as requiring the supporting side to take responsibility in case of side effects. Considering the poor healthcare system, it will be difficult to overcome COVID-19 with isolation and control alone without vaccines."