Suspected COVID-19 Defector to North Korea... Kim Jong-un Declares "Maximum Emergency System" in Turmoil

National Emergency Quarantine System → Transition to Maximum Emergency System
Crossing into North Korea via Kaesong... "Complete Lockdown of Kaesong City" Measures

On the 25th, North Korea urgently convened an expanded emergency meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and transitioned the national emergency epidemic prevention system to a "maximum emergency system" in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), according to Korean Central TV on the 26th. Chairman Kim Jong-un is directly conducting the meeting at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee.

North Korea has been put on high alert after a defector suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reportedly crossed back into North Korea. Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, declared a maximum emergency system and ordered ultra-strong quarantine measures.

On the 26th, North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that Chairman Kim urgently convened an expanded emergency meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and decided to shift the national emergency quarantine system to a "maximum emergency system" in response to the defector suspected of COVID-19 infection crossing into North Korea through Kaesong.

The agency stated, "An emergency incident occurred on July 19, when a defector who fled to the South and is suspected of being infected with a malignant virus (COVID-19) illegally crossed the Military Demarcation Line into Kaesong City after three years."

The defector, who came to South Korea three years ago, crossed the Military Demarcation Line on July 19 and entered North Korea through Kaesong. The claim that he is a suspected COVID-19 patient requires verification.

KCNA reported, "Multiple relevant tests were conducted on the upper respiratory secretions and blood of the illegal returnee," and "there were ambiguous results that could be suspected as indicating infection with the malignant virus."

It added, "He has been thoroughly isolated, and all individuals who had contact with him in Kaesong City, as well as those who passed through Kaesong, are being thoroughly investigated, controlled, tested, and quarantined."

Chairman Kim convened an emergency expanded meeting of the Political Bureau at the Central Committee headquarters building the previous day regarding the "risk that could cause a fatal and destructive disaster in Kaesong City."

Kim ordered a complete lockdown of Kaesong City on the afternoon of the 24th, immediately after receiving the related report, and implemented "preemptive measures" by sealing off districts and areas.

KCNA also reported, "The Party Central Committee declared a state of emergency in the affected area, transitioned the national emergency quarantine system to the maximum emergency system, and issued a top-level alert."

On the 25th, North Korea urgently convened an expanded emergency meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and transitioned the national emergency epidemic prevention system to a "maximum emergency system" in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Chosun Central TV reported on the 26th. The meeting was held at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee, with Political Bureau members and alternate members attending, presided over by Chairman Kim Jong-un.

At the meeting, a unanimous decision was adopted by the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee to transition the national emergency quarantine system to the maximum emergency system.

In particular, the meeting severely criticized the lax frontline guard duty of the military units in the area where the defection incident occurred, received a report on the focused investigation results by the Party Central Military Commission on the units responsible for the incident, applied strict punishment, and discussed measures to be taken accordingly.

Accordingly, it is expected that control and surveillance over all residents and the military will be further strengthened under the pretext of COVID-19 quarantine, and this will be used as an opportunity to restore the loosened social discipline.

Chairman Kim stated, "Despite having implemented strong defensive quarantine measures nationwide in various sectors over the past six months and having sealed off all routes, a dangerous situation has occurred that can be seen as the malignant virus entering our territory," and emphasized, "Everyone must seriously accept the reality that we are facing a state of emergency."

He further stressed, "We must maintain an order of absolute obedience and movement under the command of the emergency quarantine headquarters, and all levels of Party organizations must fully perform their functions and roles."

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