Wuhan Pneumonia Emergency in North Korea: "Take Goryeo Ginseng When Feeling Weak"

"With Strong Human Immunity, No Virus Can Prevail"
"Our Ancestors Ate Joseon Gaeseong Goryeo Ginseng When They Had a Cold"

North Korean Goryeo Ginseng sold in China's online market

North Korea, which is making an all-out effort to block the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), is attracting attention by urging residents to strengthen their immunity through physical training and emphasizing the efficacy of Korean ginseng.

On the 31st, the Workers' Party organ newspaper Rodong Sinmun published an article titled "Novel Coronavirus Infection and Enhancement of Resistance," stating, "If the body's resistance is high, no mutated virus can gain a foothold," and argued that "the important thing is to properly train the body to increase the body's resistance."

Furthermore, the newspaper mentioned Korean ginseng, saying, "It is also necessary to use immune activators or immune optimizers."

The newspaper stated, "Our ancestors widely used Joseon Kaesong Korean ginseng when the body was weak or when suffering from illnesses such as colds," and claimed, "In modern times, ginseng-processed medicines developed, as well as immune activators or immune optimizers like the 'Geumdang-2' injection, have become matters of international interest."

North Korea, which has been emphasizing economic development and self-reliance, has been preparing to develop the ginseng industry.

On January 25 last year, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly adopted and announced the Ginseng Law. The law specifies legal requirements to be observed in the creation of ginseng fields, cultivation and purchase of ginseng, production and sale of its processed products, and guidance and control over these businesses, the agency reported.

On the 22nd of the same month, the Joseon Ginseng Association, which oversees the entire process from ginseng cultivation to purchase, processing, and export, was also launched.

There is an analysis that the background of North Korea's fostering of the ginseng industry lies in "earning foreign currency." In January last year, China's state-run media Global Times quoted Da Zegang, director of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, saying, "The enactment of North Korea's Ginseng Law is aimed at developing the ginseng industry."

Since medicinal herbs like ginseng are not included in the UN's sanctions list against North Korea, the ginseng industry is said to contribute significantly to North Korea's national economy and foreign currency earnings. Director Da added, "North Korea expects the medicinal herb industry, led by ginseng, to become a potential driving force for economic growth."

Meanwhile, on the same day, North Korea announced on the 31st that it had strengthened inspection and quarantine activities for import and export goods at major points of airports, railways, and shipping routes connected with foreign countries to prevent the inflow of Wuhan pneumonia.

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