North Korea: "Defector Suspected of COVID-19 Infection Returned to North"...Government "Under Verification"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The South Korean government stated that it is "verifying" North Korea's claim that a defector suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crossed into North Korea through Kaesong.

On the 26th, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported that an emergency expanded meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, chaired by Kim Jong-un, was held. The report stated, "An emergency incident occurred on July 19, where a defector suspected of being infected with a malignant virus (COVID-19) illegally crossed the Military Demarcation Line after three years and returned home from South Korea in Kaesong City." It also announced the lockdown of Kaesong and that the emergency expanded meeting chaired by Kim Jong-un elevated the national emergency epidemic prevention system to the highest emergency level.

In response to North Korea's sudden report, the South Korean military, Ministry of Unification, and National Intelligence Service are reportedly verifying the intent behind the report. First, it is necessary to confirm whether the defection into North Korea actually occurred as claimed, and if so, through which route. Defectors enter Hana Center, a settlement support education institution, receive three months of social adaptation training, and then receive residence protection from the police for five years.

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