Northern Propaganda Media "Truly a Failed Republic"... Mocking President Yoon's Offer to Provide COVID-19 Vaccines

Over 1.2 Million Cumulative COVID-19 Cases in North Korea... WHO Expresses Concern Over Spread
President Yoon: "If North Korean Authorities Respond, We Will Spare No Support Including Vaccines"
North Korean Propaganda Media Floods Criticism at Yoon Suk-yeol Government

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, wearing a mask, is visiting pharmacies within Pyongyang to directly assess the supply status of medicines.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Amid President Yoon Suk-yeol's announcement to provide North Korea with COVID-19 vaccines and other support on humanitarian grounds, North Korea has unleashed criticism against the Yoon administration.

North Korea's external propaganda outlet Uri Minjokkkiri stated on the 16th, "Despite the condemnation and denunciation from various sectors in South Korea, the Yoon Suk-yeol faction is agonizing over how to hang the nameplate of their newly moved presidential office in Yongsan after squandering enormous public funds (twisting and turning in distress or sorrow)." Uri Minjokkkiri also sarcastically remarked, "These people, who claim to be the people, intend to act as masters for five years, which truly makes this a 'ruined republic.'

Another propaganda outlet, Meori, claimed, "Recently in South Korea, voices of anxiety and concern have been rising more than expectations regarding Yoon Suk-yeol's presidential inauguration." Meori added, "Rather than expecting anything from the Yoon Suk-yeol regime, we hope they at least avoid mistakes. Considering that Yoon created controversies almost daily right after his election by relocating the presidential office, exercising reckless personnel authority, and clashing with his predecessor, there is already unease about what surprising events might occur during future governance."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the cumulative number of suspected fever patients infected with COVID-19 in North Korea has surpassed 1.2 million. The North Korean Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the same day, "On the 15th alone, over 392,920 new fever cases occurred, and 8 additional deaths were recorded." According to Rodong Sinmun, approximately 648,360 patients have recovered, while about 564,860 are still undergoing treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over this situation. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, stated in a press release, "Since North Korea has not yet started COVID-19 vaccinations, if immediate and appropriate measures are not taken to contain the virus, there is a risk of rapid spread among the population." She added, "WHO is concerned about this and is ready to provide support to North Korea."

President Yoon also declared, "If the North Korean authorities respond positively, we will not hesitate to provide necessary support including COVID-19 vaccines, medicines, medical equipment, and healthcare personnel." In his policy speech on the 2022 second supplementary budget for COVID-19 compensation, President Yoon emphasized, "I have repeatedly stated that humanitarian aid will always be open regardless of political or military considerations in inter-Korean relations," and "We must spare no effort in supporting North Korean residents exposed to the threat of the coronavirus."

However, according to the Ministry of Unification, North Korea has not given a clear response regarding the receipt of a notification letter proposing working-level talks. Earlier that day at 11 a.m., the government attempted to send a notification letter proposing working-level talks on COVID-19 quarantine cooperation to North Korea through the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, but it is reported that North Korea has not disclosed whether it received the letter.