Ministry of Unification "Considering Support for North Korea's COVID-19 Prevention Supplies Through International Organizations"

"To be reviewed upon request from international organizations"
North Korea requests UNICEF for quarantine supplies support

A photo reported by the North Korean Workers' Party organ Rodong Sinmun on the 19th shows workers at the Pyongyang Sports Equipment Factory wearing masks indoors while holding a meeting.

Amid reports that North Korea has requested quarantine supplies related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from international organizations, the government stated on the 19th that it could consider providing related quarantine supplies to North Korea if requested by international organizations.

On the same day, Yeosang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office, in response to a question about whether the government is considering support to North Korea through the international community regarding COVID-19, "If an official inquiry comes from (an international organization), the government will also consider it."

However, the spokesperson added, "So far, international organizations have not officially requested the Ministry of Unification."

On the same day, UNICEF announced that North Korea's Ministry of Public Health requested support for procuring personal protective equipment related to COVID-19 prevention. The Voice of America (VOA) reported that "North Korea did not specify what kind of supplies it requested support for," conveying this information.

Regarding the status of COVID-19 outbreaks in North Korea, the spokesperson said that they still trust the announcements from North Korean authorities and international organizations.

He stated, "Regarding the outbreak situation in North Korea, we must first observe the official announcements from North Korean authorities." He added, "If there is an outbreak, North Korean authorities are supposed to notify the World Health Organization (WHO), so we will cooperate with international health organizations to monitor the outbreak situation."

Meanwhile, concerning individual tourism to North Korea, the government reaffirmed its position to proceed while comprehensively reviewing the overall environment.

Spokesperson Ye said, "Individual tourism to North Korea will be decided by comprehensively reviewing the situation on our side, the situation on the North Korean side, and related matters involving the private sector and international organizations."

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