Government Begins Establishing Foundation for Inter-Korean Quarantine Cooperation: "Joint Inspection System Needed for COVID-19 and Others"

Ministry of Legislation Orders Research Service Worth 30 Million Won

Chief Kim Wook of Kim Manyu Hospital stated in an interview with Chosun Central TV on the 24th that Cheon Mask cannot prevent the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), so it is better to wear medical masks.

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads, the government has begun establishing a legal and institutional foundation for building a joint North-South quarantine system.

According to the national integrated electronic procurement site, Nara Market, on the 25th, the Ministry of Government Legislation commissioned a research project titled "Study on Legal Institutionalization of North-South Quarantine Cooperation."

A budget of 30 million KRW has been allocated, and the contract period for the project is until October 31 following the signing of the bidding contract.

Regarding the purpose of the research project, the Ministry of Government Legislation explained, "The recent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and COVID-19 have raised the necessity of establishing a joint North-South quarantine system."

The research report must include ▲ a review of amendments to North-South quarantine-related laws to expand quarantine cooperation, ▲ a study on legal institutionalization measures to establish a control tower to protect the Korean Peninsula from various infectious diseases beyond short-term humanitarian aid, and ▲ an investigation of quarantine-related laws in various countries overseas to suggest the direction for building a quarantine legal system for a future unified Korea.

The Ministry of Government Legislation stated, "By establishing a legal and institutional foundation related to North-South quarantine cooperation, it is expected to contribute to expanding cooperation such as building a joint North-South quarantine system in the future."

President Moon Jae-in and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un promised health and medical cooperation between North and South Korea in the Pyongyang Joint Declaration in September 2018. Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration stipulates, "The South and the North agreed to strengthen cooperation in quarantine and health and medical fields, including emergency measures to prevent the inflow and spread of infectious diseases."

The government is currently reviewing proposals for quarantine cooperation with North Korea in relation to COVID-19. Cho Hye-sil, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing on the 14th, "The government holds the position that cooperation between North and South is necessary to block and respond to the spread of infectious diseases," adding, "Regarding the proposal for quarantine cooperation, we are currently comprehensively considering the situation of outbreaks on our side, North Korea’s trends, and the positions of various sectors including the private sector."

However, it is uncertain whether North Korea will respond positively to the government’s proposal for quarantine cooperation. During last year’s ASF outbreak, the government repeatedly proposed quarantine cooperation between North and South, but North Korea consistently remained unresponsive.

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