All Staff of Kaesong Liaison Office Return Around 18:00... Operations Suspended Due to Wuhan Pneumonia (Comprehensive)

All 58 South Korean personnel working in Kaesong
Expected to cross the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) around 6 PM
South and North Korean authorities agreed through liaison representatives this morning
to temporarily suspend operations until the Wuhan pneumonia situation is resolved

North Korea's Korean Central TV reported on the 30th 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." Medical personnel, appearing to be officials from the Ministry of Public Health, are holding a meeting.

On the 30th, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), the authorities of South and North Korea decided to indefinitely suspend the operation of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office. All South Korean personnel remaining at the local office are scheduled to return around 18:00 on the same day.

The Ministry of Unification stated, "All South Korean personnel at the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office are expected to cross the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) around 18:00 today (the 30th)." Considering customs procedures, they are expected to arrive at the southern end of the Unification Bridge before 18:30.

Currently, 58 South Korean personnel (17 officials and 41 support staff) are staying at the Kaesong Liaison Office.

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

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 tasks."

Since the liaison office first opened in September 2018 following the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration agreement, this is the first time its operation has completely stopped, even temporarily.

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

A Ministry of Unification official said, "(Recently, North Korea) declared a national emergency quarantine system and is being very cautious and taking 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 cases like SARS and MERS, North Korea is showing unusual trends."

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."

North Korea has declared a national emergency quarantine system in preparation for the spread of the novel coronavirus and has established emergency quarantine headquarters at the central and regional levels to focus all efforts 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 extremely sensitive reaction to the novel coronavirus is due to concerns that its weak medical infrastructure could lead to an uncontrollable situation if the virus spreads even once.

Therefore, it is currently difficult to predict when the liaison office will return to normal. Considering that the number of novel coronavirus infections is still on the rise, some speculate it could take at least several months.

However, since the temporary closure of the Kaesong Liaison Office was carried out as part of inter-Korean cooperation on epidemic prevention measures, it is expected to have little negative impact on inter-Korean relations.

There is also an opinion that attention should be paid to the fact that the two Koreas, after a long time, decided to suspend the office's operation through dialogue channels and established alternative means such as telephone and fax lines between Seoul and Pyongyang to continue liaison work.

North Korea is rapidly informing its residents daily about the global spread of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia.' On the 27th, Korean Central TV aired a special program titled "Special Feature: Rapidly Spreading Novel Coronavirus" to provide residents with detailed information on the reality of Wuhan pneumonia and methods of infection prevention.

Furthermore, voices are emerging that this situation should be seen as an opportunity for inter-Korean cooperation on epidemic prevention.

Cheon Jeong-bae, a member of the Alternative Party, said, "In the September 19 Pyongyang Declaration, South and North Korea agreed on emergency measures to prevent the inflow and spread of infectious diseases, including cooperation on quarantine, health, and medical care," adding, "Now is not the time to argue about the form, procedures, or channels of dialogue, but a time when substantial and urgent inter-Korean cooperation on quarantine and health care is required."

Cheon emphasized, "The government should promptly pursue emergency support to North Korea for medical supplies such as masks and protective clothing through the International Red Cross to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus," and "Along with this, inter-Korean dialogue for health and medical cooperation related to the novel coronavirus response should be promoted."

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