Ministry of Unification: "Difficult to Understand Claims That Government Is Blocking Health Support to North Korea"

"If These Conditions Are Met, We Will Support"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un supervised an artillery firing competition of the Western Front Large Combined Unit on the 20th and instructed to strengthen the training of artillery units according to the situation, reported the Korean Central News Agency on the 21st. Kim's appearance was revealed by Central TV on the 21st.

Regarding claims from some quarters that the Ministry of Unification is blocking health and medical support to North Korea related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which is being pursued by domestic private organizations and local governments, the Ministry of Unification rebutted on the 24th, stating, "It is a hard-to-understand claim that the government is blocking (inter-Korean health and medical cooperation)."

An official from the Ministry of Unification said to reporters on the same day, "The government basically holds the position that health cooperation with North Korea is necessary," adding, "We support it as long as the requirements are met."

Earlier, some domestic media reported that "North Korea conveyed its intention to send COVID-19 diagnostic kits through domestic private organizations, and some groups are pursuing this, but the Ministry of Unification is ignoring and neglecting it."

The Ministry of Unification also emphasized the necessity of health cooperation with North Korea the day before. Cho Hye-sil, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing on the 23rd, "The government basically always recognizes and emphasizes the need for infectious disease cooperation and inter-Korean cooperation," but added, "Domestic private organizations have inquired with the government about the requirements for North Korea support procedures or fund applications, but so far, no organization has applied with the necessary requirements for COVID-19 related support to North Korea."

According to the Act on Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation, private organizations wishing to engage in exchange and cooperation with North Korea must meet requirements such as ▲ signing an agreement with the North, ▲ securing funding, ▲ having a concrete plan for securing and transporting materials, and ▲ ensuring transparency in distribution. The Ministry of Unification official explained that domestic private organizations have not met these requirements.

Meanwhile, regarding the Supreme People's Assembly that North Korea announced it would hold in April, the Ministry of Unification stated that it will monitor the situation. In particular, evaluations suggest that North Korea's confidence in its COVID-19 response is reflected in the background of holding a political event where hundreds to thousands of people gather.

In response, the Ministry of Unification official said, "Regarding the holding of the Supreme People's Assembly and the COVID-19 situation, an announcement from North Korean authorities is necessary," adding, "It is difficult to infer whether (COVID-19) has been resolved or not just from the holding of the meeting."

A photo published on the front page of the North Korean Workers' Party organ Rodong Sinmun on the 20th appears to depict workers from the Pyongyang Trolleybus Factory reading a newspaper featuring content related to Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pyongyang General Hospital. Alongside the photo, the newspaper emphasized, "We are deeply moved by Marshal Kim Jong Un's historic speech."

Earlier, North Korea announced on the 21st that it will convene the 3rd session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang on the 10th of next month.

The Supreme People's Assembly, which is equivalent to South Korea's National Assembly, is the highest sovereign body under North Korea's constitution. North Korea holds regular sessions around April each year to perform functions such as establishing basic principles of national policy including constitutional and legal amendments, appointing key national officials, and approving the budget.

An official from the Ministry of Unification stated that North Korea has held the Supreme People's Assembly every April since 2012, except for 2016.

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