Ministry of Unification: "Difficult to Provide Quarantine Supplies Due to North Korea Border Closure"

"Lockdown Level Increase May Make Things More Difficult"
Recent Approval for Export of Masks Worth 300 Million Won

On the morning of the 21st, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, delivered a congratulatory speech at the Peaceful Unification Forum titled "75th Anniversary of Liberation, Roles and Tasks for Building a New Korean Peninsula."

On the 24th, the Ministry of Unification stated that North Korea is facing difficulties in receiving quarantine supplies due to its border closure as a measure against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and that these difficulties are expected to worsen if the level of closure intensifies.

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yeo Sang-gi responded to a question asking whether private organizations are experiencing difficulties in providing quarantine supplies to North Korea due to the border closure by saying, "If North Korea closes its borders, there will be difficulties in supporting quarantine supplies, and these difficulties are expected to increase."

When asked if difficulties are currently being experienced, spokesperson Yeo replied, "There are difficulties even now," adding, "If the border closure level is strengthened, those difficulties are expected to worsen."

Earlier, on the 6th, the Ministry of Unification approved the export of masks worth 300 million won to North Korea, requested by a domestic private organization. On the 12th, the export of COVID-19 quarantine supplies worth 180 million won, requested by another private organization, was also approved.

On the 21st, at the 75th Anniversary of Liberation Peaceful Unification Forum, Minister of Unification Lee In-young emphasized the necessity of humanitarian aid, stating, "There should be no halt to the provision of medicines and supplies to heal the sick among the elderly and children, and food support for the health of women and children due to political reasons."

Meanwhile, regarding the COVID-19 situation in North Korea, the Ministry of Unification reaffirmed its existing stance of judging based on announcements from international organizations and North Korean authorities. Spokesperson Yeo explained, "Regarding confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Korea, the Ministry of Unification's position is to base judgments on official announcements from North Korean authorities," adding, "North Korean authorities have not yet announced any confirmed cases, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has not confirmed any cases in North Korea, so the government is making judgments based on these announcements."

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