Ministry of Unification: "Will Assess Inter-Korean COVID Cooperation Considering North Korea-US Developments"

"Quarantine Cooperation Directly Linked to the Survival Rights of Residents on Both Sides
No Concrete Discussions on Quarantine Cooperation Between the North and South"

Cho Hye-sil, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a personal letter to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un expressing willingness to cooperate on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and on the 23rd, the Ministry of Unification reaffirmed its position that quarantine cooperation between South and North Korea is necessary.

Cho Hye-sil, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office that in response to a question regarding 'the personal letter diplomacy between the North Korea-U.S. leaders and the South Korean government's stance on quarantine cooperation with North Korea,' "(Quarantine cooperation) is humanitarian and reciprocal cooperation directly related to the health and right to survival of all residents in both South and North Korea, and the government’s position that cooperation between the two Koreas is necessary remains unchanged."

She added, "President Moon Jae-in emphasized the need for transboundary cooperation against non-traditional security threats such as COVID-19 in his March 1st Independence Movement Day speech," and said, "We plan to make judgments comprehensively considering the domestic situation related to COVID-19, the situation in North Korea, developments between North Korea and the U.S., and international community support trends."

It appears that discussions on quarantine cooperation between South and North Korea have not yet taken place.

Deputy spokesperson Cho said, "So far, there have been no specific discussions regarding North Korea’s requests for support or quarantine cooperation between South and North Korea."

Additionally, the Ministry of Unification expressed a welcoming stance toward the personal letter diplomacy between the North Korea-U.S. leaders.

Deputy spokesperson Cho said, "The exchange of personal letters between the North Korea-U.S. leaders itself is viewed positively by our government," and added, "We will consistently strive for the development of inter-Korean relations, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the establishment of permanent peace."

Regarding domestic media reports claiming that North Korea conveyed its desire to send COVID-19 diagnostic kits through South Korean civil organizations and that some organizations are pursuing this while the Ministry of Unification ignores or neglects it, the Ministry clarified that these reports are inaccurate.

Deputy spokesperson Cho said, "The government fundamentally recognizes and emphasizes the necessity of infectious disease cooperation and inter-Korean cooperation," but added, "While domestic civil organizations have inquired with the government about the requirements for North Korea support procedures or fund applications, no organization has yet applied with the necessary requirements for COVID-19 related support to North Korea." She explained that essential conditions such as securing funding for material support and plans for transportation routes have not been met.

Meanwhile, on the 22nd (local time), President Trump stated that the U.S. is open to helping North Korea, Iran, and others regarding COVID-19, and that if these countries need assistance, the U.S. will provide it.

At a COVID-19 task force (TF) briefing held at the White House that day, in response to a reporter’s question, "You sent a personal letter to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un (Supreme Leader) for cooperation related to COVID-19...," he replied, "For many countries, if they need help, we will help them." By confirming the delivery of the personal letter, it is interpreted as reaffirming the humanitarian support stance toward North Korea mediated by COVID-19.

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