Dispute Over the Origin of COVID-19 Outbreak in the North, Deterioration of Inter-Korean Relations

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Inter-Korean relations are deteriorating further due to a dispute over the cause of North Korea's COVID-19 outbreak.

As Kim Yo-jong, the sister of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, claimed that North Korea's COVID-19 was introduced from the South, our government has also issued a direct rebuttal.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While General Secretary Kim declared the resolution of the COVID-19 crisis, on the 10th, Kim Yo-jong asserted in a strong tone that "COVID-19 was introduced to the North by the South" and publicly warned of a strong retaliatory response.

According to diplomatic sources on the 14th, General Secretary Kim, at the nationwide emergency epidemic prevention summary meeting convened by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 10th, delivered an "important speech," stating, "On behalf of the Party Central Committee and the government of the Republic, I declare victory in the maximum emergency epidemic prevention battle to eradicate the newly introduced novel coronavirus within the territory and to protect the lives and health of the people."

This marked the transition from the maximum emergency epidemic prevention system to the normal epidemic prevention system 91 days after North Korea publicly announced the COVID-19 outbreak and activated the maximum emergency epidemic prevention system on May 12.

Following General Secretary Kim's speech, Kim Yo-jong, who took the floor as a discussant, claimed in her speech, "The national crisis we have experienced this time was clearly caused by the anti-Republic confrontation madness of the enemies who sought to crush our country by exploiting the global health crisis as a pretext."

This is the first time Kim Yo-jong has spoken at an official public event. Although she holds the position of deputy director of the Party, she oversees inter-Korean and external affairs as a member of the State Affairs Commission.

She emphasized, "The fact that the initial outbreak occurred near the front line makes it impossible not to suspect the South Koreans," and added, "From a scientific perspective, the reality that filth continues to be swept in from the South Korean region leads to the conclusion that we cannot just stand by indefinitely."

In particular, Kim Yo-jong stated, "If the enemies continue to engage in dangerous acts that could introduce the virus into our Republic, we will respond by eradicating not only the virus but also those from the South Korean authorities," and said, "The problem lies in the fact that the puppet regime is still continuing to send leaflets and filthy items."

In response, our government immediately rebutted. On the 11th, the Ministry of Unification expressed strong regret over North Korea blaming the South for the cause of the COVID-19 outbreak and threatening retaliatory measures.

A Ministry of Unification official stated, "We strongly regret North Korea's repeated baseless and groundless claims regarding the route of the coronavirus introduction at the nationwide emergency epidemic prevention summary meeting, as well as their rude and threatening remarks toward our side."

Regarding Kim Yo-jong's mention of retaliatory responses, the official said, "We will not make premature judgments about North Korea's future actions but will closely monitor their movements and prepare for all possibilities."

If the dispute over the cause of the COVID-19 outbreak between the two Koreas intensifies, it is expected to have a negative impact on inter-Korean relations, including issues related to North Korea's nuclear program.