Frozen Inter-Korean Relations, Can Vaccines Help Restore Them?

Signs of Major COVID-19 Outbreak in the North
Interest in Yoon Government's Efforts to Improve Relations Through Vaccine Support

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As signs of a COVID-19 pandemic emerge in North Korea, attention is focused on whether our government will step in to supply vaccines, diagnostic kits, and other resources.

On the 13th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, visited the State Emergency Anti-epidemic Command the previous day and received a report stating that "from the end of April, an unexplained febrile illness explosively spread nationwide, resulting in about 350,000 people with fever symptoms, of whom approximately 162,200 have fully recovered." It was also reported that about 18,000 new fever cases occurred in one day, with around 187,800 people currently isolated and receiving treatment, and six deaths reported so far.

Our government is considering donating remaining vaccines to North Korea. At a confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee the previous day, Kwon Young-se, the nominee for Minister of Unification, expressed willingness to provide medical supplies such as vaccines, antipyretics, and syringes to North Korea on humanitarian grounds. The quarantine authorities also stated, "We will consider the possibility of donating to North Korea."

Currently, there are about 14.66 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines remaining domestically. Pfizer vaccines account for the largest share with 7.6 million doses, followed by Moderna with 3.31 million doses, Janssen with 1.98 million doses, and Novavax with 1.57 million doses. Among the vaccines stored in logistics warehouses, 70,000 doses have an expiration date within one month, and 6.42 million doses expire within three months. The remaining contracted vaccine volume of 140 million doses for this year is also expected to be fully delivered.

Changes in inter-Korean relations are also anticipated due to the spread of COVID-19 in North Korea. In diplomatic circles, if North Korea judges that it is difficult to overcome the COVID-19 situation on its own, it may seek help from the international community, which could lead to inter-Korean or trilateral talks involving South Korea, North Korea, and the United States. However, the ballistic missile launch on the same day remains a variable.

Jung Sung-jang, head of the North Korea Research Center at the Sejong Institute, said, "It is unlikely that North Korea will give up nuclear or missile tests just because confirmed cases have occurred; rather, it is more likely to boost residents' morale through military provocations," adding, "There is a high possibility that North Korea's nuclear tests or missile test launch schedules will be moved forward."

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