Lee Jae-gap "North Korea May Have Over 1 Million COVID-19 Cases and Over 100,000 Deaths"

Supplies for Personal Hygiene and Quarantine, Including Masks, Should Be Provided Together
Government: "Humanitarian Aid Ready Anytime Regardless of Political Situation"

Professor Lee Jae-gap, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Infectious disease expert Professor Lee Jaegab of Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital expressed concerns regarding the COVID-19 situation in North Korea, stating that "there could be more than 100,000 deaths, and the number of confirmed cases is likely to exceed 1 million."

In a phone interview on the night of the 13th with CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu,' Professor Lee said, "It seems the outbreak started around mid-April, and as the situation in China worsened, it is highly likely that the virus entered through China."

He added, "Because the diagnostic system is not well established, it seems the situation was only confirmed after it had grown large, so I expect it will become a difficult situation. The scale of the outbreak is very large."

Professor Lee explained, "During this outbreak, there are predictive data (from abroad) indicating that at least 100,000 deaths could occur in North Korea, and the number of confirmed cases could be over 1 million, possibly reaching several million."

He also expressed concern, saying, "(In North Korea) the number of deaths will be much higher relative to the number of confirmed cases," and "since they have not vaccinated at all, even with a low fatality rate of 2-3%, and with no medical system in place, it could rise as high as 10%."

North Korea's Korean Central TV on the 12th revealed Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, wearing a mask during the 8th Political Bureau meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party held at the Central Committee headquarters in relation to the occurrence of COVID-19 cases. However, Chairman Kim removed his mask and placed it on the desk while speaking at the meeting. This is the first time that Chairman Kim's masked appearance has been made public.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Professor Lee stated, "Because the situation in North Korea is serious, anything needed for COVID-19 must be provided," and added, "In terms of treatment, it is necessary to supply oxygen, therapeutic drugs, personal protective equipment for medical staff, and modular hospital rooms."

He emphasized, "The outbreak itself must be blocked to reduce the number of confirmed cases," and "it is also necessary to supply materials for personal hygiene and quarantine, such as masks."

Regarding masks, the most easily accessible personal protective equipment, he said, "Supplies will come through China, but since China is currently under lockdown, the supply may not be sufficient," and judged that "there is a high possibility that even masks for medical staff may be unavailable."

On North Korea's implementation of a strict lockdown, Professor Lee said, "Even if a lockdown is imposed when the outbreak scale is very large, it will take at least 2-3 weeks or more than a month for the effects to appear, so many confirmed cases will occur during that time."

He added, "Shanghai, China, has been under lockdown for five weeks and has now reduced the number of confirmed cases to about one-tenth, but the number of patients occurring during those five weeks was quite large," and predicted that North Korea's lockdown effects will only appear after about a month, so the treatment of confirmed cases and food supply issues during that period will be serious.

Meanwhile, the South Korean government has expressed its intention to support North Korea with vaccines and medicines. A presidential office official explained, "Humanitarian aid is ready to be provided at any time regardless of political circumstances." The United Nations, the United States, China, and others have also stated that they will provide related supplies such as vaccines, treatments, masks, and food if North Korea requests them.

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