Government Warns Legal Action Against Fake News Claiming Masks Were Distributed to North Korea

Ministry of Unification: "No Support Provided by Government or Private Organizations"
"Legal Measures Will Be Taken Against Fake News Dissemination"

Volunteers from the Korean Red Cross in North Korea are conducting hygiene promotion activities targeting local residents in cooperation with medical staff to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the external propaganda media "Chosun Today" reported on the 4th. In photos released on the media's website, a volunteer wearing a red Red Cross vest is seen explaining something to men and women indoors, which appears to be a private home.

Regarding reports that the government supported North Korea with quarantine masks amid the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, the government stated, "There is no fact that masks were provided to North Korea in relation to the COVID-19 situation." The government has labeled the related reports as 'fake news' and plans to take legal action.

On the day, an official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters, "On March 3, some weekly magazines reported articles titled that the government was distributing masks to North Korea based on videos showing North Korean medical staff using Korean-made masks," adding, "The government has not provided masks to North Korea, nor has any domestic private organization applied for mask export for aid to North Korea."

He stated, "The government expresses regret over some media outlets reporting distorted information as facts without verifying basic facts."

The official emphasized, "The government will review appropriate legal measures against acts of producing and distributing fake news."

The Ministry of Unification also announced on its website recently under the notice titled '#ThisIsTheFact' that "There are posts online causing misunderstandings that the government secretly supported North Korea with masks," and "However, the government has not provided masks to North Korea in relation to the recent COVID-19 situation."

It also stressed, "There has been no case of domestic private organizations applying for mask export for aid to North Korea."

The Ministry of Unification added, "The production and distribution of unverified fake news during the serious COVID-19 situation causes severe public anxiety and social confusion," and "The government is concentrating national capabilities to overcome the COVID-19 situation."

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