The answer to the question of whether North Korea currently has any cases of Coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is complicated. The isolated nation, which is headed by Kim Jong-Un, has long been known to be secretive, and the spread and severity of Covid-19 within its borders is no different.
Despite allegations of the country’s lack of openness, North Korean officials have come forward with various strategies to contain the spread of the virus. Initially, they imposed the restrictive measures seen in other countries such as border closures, travel bans, and mass testing for coronavirus. Additionally, North Koreans are required to be tested when crossing the border and are encouraged to use protective masks when in public.
Although it’s widely accepted that North Korea has taken strict measures to contain the virus, only a few details have been released about the situation internally. North Korea reported no cases back in March, when the outbreak began spreading in other parts of the world.
North Korean authorities state that no coronavirus cases have been reported in their country due to the containment measures taken. In April, the country’s state media reported one suspected case of Covid-19 that later disappeared.
However, some analysts have suggested that the real situation may be hidden by the government, questioning whether or not the number of cases is being accurately reported. North Korea’s health system is notoriously poor and if there were a major outbreak, the nation’s capabilities would be challenged in containing the virus.
Dr. Annie Sparrow, a veteran medical commentator and former medical coordinator for the United Nations, argued: “There’s almost no evidence of (North Korea’s) ability to cope in the event of a full-blown epidemic, and the sudden introduction of a communicable, fatal illness could have catastrophic consequences in the country”.
Furthermore, North Korea’s extreme poverty makes it difficult to provide people with aids to combat the virus, such as testing kits and protective materials. The fact that the virus has already spread in areas that share a border with North Korea could also be an issue. China, South Korea, and Russia have all reported cases, increasing the risk of there being an outbreak in North Korea as well.
Geopolitical Factors
North Korea’s foreign relations heavily influence the country’s information about Covid-19. The nation has had tense relations with South Korea and the United States for many years, and this has hindered communication and information sharing about the virus. North Korea has consistently accused the United States and South Korea of overstating the severity of the virus in order to spread propaganda. North Korean officials also deny that the number of cases in South Korea is any cause for concern.
Some analysts have argued that the country’s leadership is trying to take advantage of the pandemic. Namely, North Korea has used the virus to their advantage to strengthen ties with China, which has since provided medical supplies and assistance to the country.
Additionally, due to their concerns about the virus, sanctions against North Korea have been reduced as a means to provide them with assistance and crucial supplies. This has allowed North Korea to keep up their economy and gain access to necessities while other countries have increasingly shut their borders.
Consequences
Unfortunately, if North Korea does indeed have Covid-19 cases, its people will be the ones to suffer the consequences of the country’s secrecy. With a weak healthcare system and an unreliable leadership, there is a risk that the virus could spread quickly if the situation is not contained and reported accurately.
The best way for North Korea to help its citizens is for it to be transparent about the virus and to cooperate with other countries, such as South Korea, to combat it. As of now, North Korea is lacking in transparency, and this is likely to have a grave effect in case of a major outbreak.
The United Nations have offered help and humanitarian aid, but North Korea has not taken them up on the offer. This is a worrying sign, as it could suggest that the situation is worse than the officials are letting on.
Potential Impact
In light of the various reports and evidence, it’s likely that North Korea’s lack of transparency is actively contributing to a potential outbreak being hidden or downplayed. That being said, the North Korean government is currently denying that the virus has spread to its territories.
If North Korea does not become better equipped to tackle Covid-19 in the near future, there is a risk of a massive outbreak happening in a nation that lacks the medical infrastructure to manage it. Such an outbreak could affect North Korea and its neighboring countries, potentially leading to a state of crisis.
Public Reception
The unpredictability surrounding North Korea’s stance on the virus and its potential effects has caused a great deal of unease, especially since the virus is a global issue. Foreign media outlets have kept a close eye on North Korea’s activities and press releases and have gone to great lengths to understand the country’s official stance.
The global community has also raised awareness by disseminating information about the virus in North Korea in order to help the people stay safe. This has been done through various public donations and campaigns, a significant number of which have been focused on North Korean defectors who are most at risk of infection.
All in all, the lack of answers in regard to the Coronavirus and North Korea remains one of the most pressing questions in international relations and public discourse today and is an issue of prime concern for the world.
North Korean Refugee Experiences
The situation is made worse by the fact that North Koreans who have managed to escape the country have reported the poor state of public health there. Such reports have further raised fears that a major outbreak could easily occur in North Korea due to its lack of medical resources and expertise.
Moreover, North Korean refugees who have started new lives in various countries have also reported the degree to which the pandemic has affected their lives. Many refugees who were forced to leave the country are now unable to return due to the pandemic, which has caused much emotional turmoil for them.
These reports paint a worrying picture of the potential consequences that North Korea’s Covid-19 situation could have, both inside and outside the country.
International Communication
The best way for the international community to work together to help contain the potential outbreak in North Korea is by better cooperating, particularly in terms of communication.
The lack of communication between North Korea and the international community, as well as between North Korea and its own citizens, has led to a lack of information and understanding. Often, it is difficult to determine what information is fact and what is false.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the international community to ensure that honest and open dialogue is established with North Korea. Such a process would help to both alleviate the spread of speculative rumors and to form an accurate understanding of the situation itself.
The exact severity of the virus in North Korea remains unknown, but one thing is clear- North Korea needs to act soon in order to contain the potential spread of the virus and protect its citizens.
