Kaesong Inter-Korean Liaison Office Also Closes... Impact of Wuhan Pneumonia

North and South Korea Agree to Temporarily Suspend Operations This Morning
"Until the New Coronavirus Risk Is Completely Eliminated"
"Instead, Establish Phone and Fax Lines Between Seoul and Pyongyang to Maintain Contact"

On the afternoon of the 29th, when it was reported that the government would quarantine Wuhan evacuees at public official training facilities in Asan, Chungnam, and Jincheon, Chungbuk, residents of Asan blocked the entrance to the Police Human Resources Development Institute.

Authorities from both South and North Korea have decided to temporarily suspend the operation of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office located in Kaesong. This is part of the preventive measures against the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

On the 30th, the Ministry of Unification stated, "Through consultations between the inter-Korean liaison representatives this morning, it was decided to temporarily suspend the operation of the liaison office until the risk of the novel coronavirus infection is completely eliminated."

The government plans to expedite the early return of South Korean personnel staying in Kaesong. Currently, 17 South Korean officials and 41 support staff, totaling 58 people, are staying in Kaesong.

Instead of operating the liaison office, which serves as a constant communication channel between the two Koreas, both sides agreed to establish a separate communication line.

An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, "South and North Korea have set up separate telephone and fax lines between Seoul and Pyongyang to maintain liaison office communication duties."

North Korea has declared a national emergency quarantine system in preparation for the spread of the novel coronavirus and has established emergency quarantine command posts at the central and regional levels to make every effort to prevent infection.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported in an article titled "Emergency Measures to Thoroughly Prevent the Novel Coronavirus Infection" that "emergency quarantine command posts have been organized at the central, provincial, city, and county levels."

An official from the Ministry of Unification said, "North Korea is showing unusual movements regarding the novel coronavirus infection," but added, "There are currently no plans to provide support such as masks or quarantine supplies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.