COVID-19 on the Korean Peninsula & inter-Korean relations
작성자/Author
관리자
작성일/Date
2020-05-18 11:29
조회/Views
547
Anxiety brought on by infectious disease has in the past few months enveloped most of the world. Shortly after the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Wuhan in December patients were confirmed here in South Korea in January. At that time we all believed it would pass quickly. However, here we are in May and the disease is still obstructing us from going about our daily lives. From Asia to Europe to North America the disease has spread around the globe and cases continue to rise. In both developed and developing countries the disease spreads on relentlessly.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula is as follows. The Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018 signed during the South North leaders summit at that time states, “The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of prevention of epidemics, public health and medical care, including emergency measures to prevent the influx and spread of contagious diseases.” However, with the breakdown of the North Korea-USA summit in Hanoi in 2019 direct exchange between South and North Korea came to an abrupt halt. Along with other South Korean NGOs, the Korean Sharing Movement reacted to the outbreak of COVID-19 with an offer to North Korea of emergency cooperation in pandemic prevention measures at a non-governmental level. However, until now there has been no positive response from the North. In January, North Korea took rapid measures to prevent spread of the coronavirus from abroad, shutting its northern border with China and requesting the withdrawal of South Korean officers from the Kaesong Joint Liaison Office, a key communication channel which, since January 30th, has stood shut.
It appears that North Korea’s emergency epidemic prevention measures have been successful in stemming the flow of the disease into the country. South Korea had some large outbreaks of COVID-19 towards the beginning of the pandemic and there followed a very intense period trying to contain the disease. However, through rapid testing and diagnosis South Korea has managed now to stabilize the situation without resorting to lockdown and in the process has drawn recognition from around the world as an exemplary case in COVID-19 prevention. It could be said that North Korea with the most drastic of shutdowns, and South Korea with the most open policy included in its response have been the most successful countries in warding off the disease. However, it is too soon to draw conclusions. Even if we can appraise a countries success thus far the situation remains ongoing. It will be difficult for North Korea to keep the borders closed. Recent news suggests that due to the halt in trade between the DPRK and the PRC there is a shortage of daily necessities and food stuffs in the north. There has also been a drought this spring. The whole world is undergoing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the North Korean humanitarian emergency requires the continued attention of international society and for international society to cooperate with the DPRK’s efforts wherever possible.
