US Intelligence Agencies Find It Difficult to Assess COVID-19 Situation in North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As U.S. intelligence agencies focus on understanding the global situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), major foreign media reported on the 30th (local time) that it is difficult to obtain information from North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran.

According to reports, multiple government sources familiar with U.S. intelligence agencies confirm that these agencies recognize a significant capability gap in assessing the COVID-19 situation in China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran compared to other countries. These four countries are considered "key targets" by U.S. intelligence agencies due to strict state control over information and difficulties in gathering intelligence within their closed leadership circles.

Experts evaluate that accurately assessing these countries would aid the efforts of the U.S. and the international community to reduce the loss of life and economic damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis. U.S. intelligence agencies are also trying to find out how these countries are handling the COVID-19 situation.

Jeremy Konyndyk, a specialist at the Center for Global Development (CGD) who led the Overseas Disaster Assistance Office under the Obama administration, said, "We want an accurate real-time understanding of where the global risk areas are and where they are evolving."

Regarding the situation in North Korea, foreign media reported, "North Korea claims that there has been no confirmed case despite sharing a border with China," but "North Korea is requesting masks and test kits from international aid organizations." A U.S. source said, "We do not know anything" about the scale of the COVID-19 situation in North Korea.

Russia has seen the largest daily increase in confirmed cases for six consecutive days, and authorities are considering a nationwide lockdown. Foreign media analyzed, "Since Russia shares borders with 14 countries, knowing the full extent of the spread could be very important." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently criticized the lack of accurate information on Russia and Iran and accused China of distorting information.

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