by Kim Minyoung
Published 27 Apr.2022 17:25(KST)
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] As COVID-19 spreads in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, which faces Sinuiju, North Korea, ferry operations between Incheon and Dandong have been suspended.
On the 27th, the Dandong Municipal Health Commission announced that 102 COVID-19 cases (all asymptomatic) were reported the previous day. In Dandong, after 3 infections on the 24th, the number surged to 60 on the 25th and exceeded 100 the day before.
Dandong imposed a city lockdown starting on the 25th, banning residents from going out. Additionally, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are being conducted daily on all 2.18 million residents.
As a result, ferry operations between Dandong and Incheon have also been suspended since the 25th. Ferry services have been transporting cargo only due to COVID-19 for the past two years, and since last month, the frequency was reduced from three times a week to twice a week.
The North Korea-China cargo train running between Dandong and Sinuiju is reported to be operating normally on the third day of the lockdown, the 27th. However, if the COVID-19 spread continues, there is a possibility that train operations may also be disrupted.
China is maintaining a 'zero COVID' policy and enforcing strict quarantine controls. There are concerns that shifting to a 'with COVID' approach could lead to massive casualties in China, which has a population of 1.4 billion.
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