"North Korea Warns of Maximum 'Death Penalty' for Illegal Drug Sales and Cracks Down"

NK News Reports Obtaining Proclamation Released in May

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported on the 3rd of last month that "combatants in the military sector (medical sector) are fulfilling their responsibilities and roles in pharmaceutical services." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] It has been confirmed that the North Korean regime showed a strong determination to crack down on pharmaceutical-related misconduct, even mentioning the death penalty, amid growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 last May.

On the 29th (local time), according to the 'Proclamation' obtained and reported by NK News, the Ministry of Social Security of North Korea warned on May 14th that acts disrupting the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals are regarded as "anti-state and anti-people acts challenging the nation's maximum emergency epidemic prevention measures, and anyone, regardless of position, affiliation, or merit, will be strictly dealt with according to wartime laws."

The Ministry of Social Security also stated, "Those who particularly violate the proclamation will be severely punished up to the death penalty, and cohabiting family members will be relocated or expelled," indicating that the principle of collective punishment will be applied.

It further stated, "Measures will be taken to ensure that phenomena such as dual supply of pharmaceuticals, overpriced sales, or smuggling absolutely do not occur," and instructed "medical institutions, etc., to ensure that not a single pill or injection is lost or misplaced during the receipt, transportation, and storage of pharmaceuticals."

Residents were warned, "Do not under any circumstances resist the nation's maximum emergency epidemic prevention measures by stealing or smuggling emergency pharmaceuticals and production materials," and 'Ilgun' (cadres) were cautioned, "Do not illegally remove pharmaceuticals or production materials by authority or hand them over to individual residents."

Institutions and enterprises were also emphasized, "Do not manufacture or smuggle counterfeit or substandard pharmaceuticals that harm the lives and health of the people in pursuit of profit, nor engage in acts that disturb public sentiment by raising food and commodity prices."

NK News reported that the proclamation was posted on a wall next to a pharmacy in Pyongyang.

Last May was when the COVID-19 virus was spreading in North Korea and Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, showed a strong will to respond.

Two days before the proclamation was posted, Chairman Kim Jong-un described North Korea's COVID-19 situation as "the greatest national crisis since the founding of the country" and requested that his personal emergency medicines be sent to the difficult and hard-hit generations.

One day after the proclamation was posted, on May 15th, an emergency council was convened, and officials in the judicial and prosecution sectors, including the Central Prosecutor's Office, were strongly reprimanded for failing to properly monitor and control hoarding and illegal distribution of pharmaceuticals.