North Korea Declares State of Emergency Due to COVID Outbreak

North Korea issued a nationwide COVID 19 outbreak followed by a state of emergency declaration. According to the 38 North, a program of The Stimson Center, there have been approximately 100,000 new cases per day in recent weeks. Currently, 3.7 million North Koreans report feverish symptoms. The government is struggling with insufficient testing and vaccination protocols, which has worsened the epidemic. However, there is a new vaccination campaign for soldiers who are allegedly working on a construction project in the capital. This is the first time that the North Korean government has administered vaccines, which were imported from China. Meanwhile, civilians, who are not eligible to receive the vaccine, are turning to inefficient COVID remedies. In fact, a rural black market has emerged from the high demand of these counterfeit treatments, such as dried deer blood. 

With respect to the prevention measures distributed to soldiers, the vaccinations are being used to further mobilize support for Kim Jong Un. A government official told Radio Free Asia that “they are calling it a ‘vaccination of love from the Highest Dignity,'” and that the North Korean Secretary-General emphasized the vaccines as a “gracious gift given to the people from Kim Jong Un.” In addition, the source explained that “some of the soldiers were seen raising their hands,… shedding tears and shouting ‘Manse!,'” which effectively translates to “long live Kim Jong Un.” On the other hand, some North Koreans are angered by the fact that they cannot access the vaccine. An inside, anonymous source told RFA that “they are saying that the government’s behavior is ridiculous… They are using images of these soldiers, saying how thrilled they are that the Highest Dignity is giving them special consideration, as propaganda”.

North Korea’s response to the pandemic exemplifies the state as one that prioritizes militarization and isolationism. First, despite the government’s lack of resources to contain the virus, it refuses to accept foreign aid to assist its civilian population. Specifically, the US and South Korea have offered vaccines. By declining multilateral cooperation to combat the pandemic, which has affected every single country, North Korea maintains strong opposition to the international community. The only vaccines that North Korea accepted were from China, but again, those doses have only been used for military personnel. In a very obvious way, then, Pyongyang is valuing its military over its civilians. 38 North surveillance has recently reported an increase in activity at nuclear sites, and experts are concerned about proliferation amid Russian aggression. With respect to regional and international security, it is concerning that the government is taking extreme measures to avoid a stall in military operations.

Though the government has now admitted a recent surge in COVID cases, it had not previously recognized the virus in North Korea since its origin. Rather, for the past two years, the state-run media has prided the nation on successful quarantine efforts. This allowed the government to promote an image of strength. Thus, the country’s admittance to the extreme outbreak was not predicted by the international community. Still, in order to sustain internal unity, the government has maintained control over the COVID narrative. The various politburo meetings about plans to improve living conditions and waterworks show civilians that the state is taking steps to aid them amid the outbreak. In doing so, the public will most likely believe its government to be in full control of the dilemma– although that is not the reality. 

If North Korea continues on this trajectory, it will experience a high death toll in addition to the illness rate. That said, Kim Jong Un has shown time and time again that his resident’s health and well-being are not a priority on the state’s agenda. So, as policymakers and researchers apply this situation to the wider conversation of international cooperation and security, they must recognize that North Korea is unlikely to accept foreign aid. This would be an admission of failure from Kim. Thus, the international community should continue to monitor nuclear proliferation efforts and cooperate, whether with North Korea or other allies, as best possible to attain global peace.

 

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