"Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread in North Korea, Possibility of New Variant Emergence"… WHO and UN Issue Simultaneous Warning

"Will Have a Devastating Impact on North Korean Human Rights"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who described the COVID-19 outbreak as a "great upheaval since the founding of the nation," removed his mask and appeared at an official event emphasizing improvements in the quarantine situation, concerns and warnings from the international community, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN), have been continuously raised.

North Korea's state-run media, Rodong Sinmun, recently released images of Kim presiding over a Politburo Standing Committee meeting without wearing a mask. This is a stark contrast to his previous appearance at a pharmacy in the Taedonggang district of Pyongyang, where he wore two masks layered.

The newspaper also reported on the Standing Committee meeting, stating, "As the improvement trend continues and the quarantine situation changes, we discussed the issue of continuously and dynamically adjusting the national quarantine policy to maintain the overall advantage on the quarantine front."

While North Korea unusually disclosed the highest-level Politburo Standing Committee meeting to emphasize the improving situation, the international community expressed concerns.

North Korean residents are walking down the street wearing masks.
Photo by Rodong Sinmun, Yonhap News Agency

According to Reuters, Mike Ryan, head of the WHO Emergency Response Team, said at a press briefing on the 17th (local time) regarding North Korea's COVID-19 outbreak, "WHO has repeatedly emphasized that the risk of new variants emerging is greater where the virus spreads uncontrollably."

He added, "If (North Korea) is not using the available methods currently, it is certainly concerning," and expressed regret, saying, "We are ready to help North Korea but do not have the authority to interfere in a sovereign country."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed deep concern on the same day about the virus spreading among unvaccinated people in North Korea, stating, "We have offered to provide North Korean authorities with materials and technical support to respond to the outbreak, including COVID-19 test kits, essential medicines, and vaccines, but North Korea has not yet responded."

The UN also warned that North Korea's strengthened movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 spread could have "devastating consequences for human rights."

Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at a briefing that "new regulations, including strengthened movement restrictions, could open the door to repression against North Korean residents," and "the spread of the epidemic without vaccination could have devastating effects on North Korea's human rights situation."

She particularly pointed out that children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those in enclosed and malnourished detention facilities would be more vulnerable in such circumstances. She added, "The UN has urged discussions on opening humanitarian aid channels to North Korea, including medicines and vaccines."

Meanwhile, according to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea reported 232,880 new fever cases and 6 deaths the previous day. Since the end of April, the cumulative number of fever cases has reached approximately 1,715,950, with a total of 62 deaths.