North Korea Raises COVID-19 Prevention Measures to Highest Level

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Dong-pyo] North Korea has raised its COVID-19 quarantine level back to the highest level, 'Chotukgeup' (super-ultra level).

On the 2nd, Korean Central Broadcasting reported, "In accordance with the restoration of Chotukgeup emergency quarantine measures, the Central Emergency Quarantine Department is strongly enforcing strict compliance with emergency quarantine discipline and order."

North Korea enacted the 'Emergency Quarantine Law' in response to COVID-19 and classified quarantine levels into three stages: 1st level, special level, and Chotukgeup (super-ultra level), based on the speed and risk of infectious disease transmission. Chotukgeup means sealing off all spaces including land, sea, and air, suspending gatherings and studies, or completely locking down domestic regions.

With this upgrade, some stores, restaurants, and bathhouses have ceased operations, and movement has been restricted. Work is also encouraged to use non-face-to-face methods such as video conferencing. The reason North Korea has reinstated Chotukgeup quarantine measures is interpreted as due to the growing global concerns of a COVID-19 resurgence entering the winter season.

The broadcast explained, "Movement of personnel by region is being strictly limited, and activities of some service units have been temporarily suspended," adding, "All units are fully equipped with video conferencing systems and internal broadcasting networks, minimizing business trips and travel, and organizing more meticulous measures to prevent unnecessary contact and crowding of personnel."

Regardless of land, air, or sea, borders have been locked down, and full disinfection facilities have been installed at border bridges and ports where goods enter the country.

They are also putting all efforts into fostering a quarantine atmosphere. While strengthening ideological education for residents, they have ordered cadres to fight against phenomena that undermine the quarantine atmosphere.

This is not the first time North Korea has implemented 'Chotukgeup' quarantine measures. In February this year, when COVID-19 rapidly spread worldwide, Chairman Kim Jong-un held an expanded meeting of the Party Political Bureau and instructed to take Chotukgeup quarantine measures.

When it was revealed in July that a defector had crossed back into North Korea and entered Kaesong, a special alert was issued and the national emergency quarantine system was upgraded to the 'maximum emergency system.'

Recently, the number of COVID-19 tests conducted in North Korea has also increased. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, as of the 25th of last month, a total of 16,914 people in North Korea have been tested for COVID-19. Among them, about 5,000 were tested in the past month. The number of people in quarantine is 706, and the cumulative total for this year is 32,843.

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