North Korea Begins 'Sealing Off Territory'... Inter-Korean Liaison Office Also Suspended Due to Wuhan Pneumonia (Comprehensive)

"Until the Risk of Wuhan Pneumonia Is Completely Eliminated"
New Telephone and Fax Lines to Be Established Between Seoul and Pyongyang
Land Routes Controlled Not Only at the China Border but Also with Russia
All Neighboring Countries with Land Borders to Close Borders... All-Out Effort

On the 28th, North Korea's Korean Central TV reported under the title "New Coronavirus Threatening Life," introducing the outbreak trends in neighboring countries, symptoms, and preventive measures of the novel coronavirus infection known as "Wuhan pneumonia."

The operation of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Liaison Office, a permanent communication channel between South and North Korea, will be suspended indefinitely. This is part of the preventive measures against the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). Previously, North Korea controlled its border with China and is now reported to have also closed its border with Russia, effectively sealing off all its borders with neighboring countries.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Unification announced, "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 stationed in Kaesong. Currently, 17 South Korean officials and 41 support staff, totaling 58 people, remain in Kaesong.

Instead of operating the liaison office, which serves as a permanent 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 operations."

A government official only stated that this measure was "taken through inter-Korean consultations," but it is known that North Korea proposed it first and South Korea accepted. The temporary suspension of the liaison office operation came two days after North Korea requested the South Korean liaison office personnel to "wear masks" and strengthen quarantine measures on the morning of the 28th.

An official from the Ministry of Unification said, "(North Korea has recently) declared a national emergency quarantine system and is taking very cautious and strengthened measures regarding the novel coronavirus," adding, "(The temporary suspension of liaison office operations) is considered a related measure following the declaration of the national emergency quarantine system." He further explained, "Compared to past outbreaks like SARS and MERS, North Korea is showing unusual behavior."

On the 28th, North Korea's Korean Central TV reported under the title "New Coronavirus Threatening Life," introducing the outbreak trends in neighboring countries, symptoms, and preventive measures of the novel coronavirus infection known as "Wuhan pneumonia."

With the decision to suspend the operation of the liaison office, the contact channel between South and North Korea, North Korea has effectively closed its borders with all neighboring countries?South Korea, China, and Russia?and entered a state of 'national lockdown.'

North Korea had previously banned Chinese tourists from entering the country and decided to mandate a one-month quarantine and medical observation for all foreigners entering from China.

In Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, which borders North Korea and serves as the largest trade hub between the two countries, North Korean authorities have reportedly suspended visa issuance. North Korea has already halted group tours for foreigners since the 22nd.

Additionally, North Korea reportedly closed the border with Russia on the 29th. The Tumen River Station (North Korea side) to Khasan Station (Russia side) section is the only land route connecting North Korea and Russia. All individuals passing through this section are also required to undergo a one-month quarantine and medical observation.

North Korea has declared a national emergency quarantine system in preparation for the spread of the novel coronavirus and established emergency quarantine headquarters at the central and regional levels to fully focus on infection prevention.

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

Analysts suggest that North Korea's extreme sensitivity to the novel coronavirus stems from concerns that its weak medical infrastructure could lead to an uncontrollable situation if the virus spreads.

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