On Monday, China’s UN Ambassador, Zhang Jun, expressed his concerns on the effects of the coronavirus on North Korea and urged the US and other countries to consider lifting sanctions against it. Even though the DPRK has denied any cases in the country, Zhang’s indicated that the country is being “negatively” impacted by COVID-19, alluding to the possible spread of the virus.
In January, North Korean state media reported that the government is monitoring around 7,000 people with symptoms and that the country will be sealing off its borders completely. Uncorroborated reports suggest that a patient might have been shot by the authorities to curb the spread of the virus The fact that the virus has been declared as a matter of state security, along with promised “penalties”, suggests real concerns. Last week, a surgical mask-free politburo meeting sacked senior officials and disbanded a party committee over coronavirus corruption.
But when asked about specifics and whether North Korea was being affected by the virus, Zhang said, “We know that they are also attaching great importance, and taking preventive methods, and they are also doing whatever they can in fighting this virus.”
Despite not alluding to the exact situation in the DPRK due to a lack of information, Zhang called on other countries and the US to do “whatever we can to lessen, to diminish the negative impact on that”. He also emphasized on the efforts made by Russia and China in this regard, and the tabling of the resolution in the Security Council, which called on members to lift sanctions on the country
But, with new reports of Pyongyang firing two missiles–presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles–in its eastern sea on Monday, Zhang’s call for relief might fall on deaf ears, especially after the breakdown of negotiations between DPRK and the US at Hanoi last year.
Image Source: Boston Globe