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A medical worker at a clinic in Pyongyang informs people on preventative measures for fighting the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap News)

The South Korean government announced on Apr. 23 that it had approved an NGO’s request to ship 20,000 protective suits for novel coronavirus prevention to provide as support to North Korea.

“Shipment was approved for an NGO on Apr. 27 after approval was previously granted for a sanitizer shipment on Mar. 31,” a Ministry of Unification official said.

“The items approved were 20,000 protective suits worth 200 million won [US$161,748],” the official said, adding that the “support group will be covering the necessary costs itself.”

The government previously approved a request by a South Korean NGO to ship 100 million won (US$80,913) worth of hand sanitizer to provide support to North Korea at its own expense. The group has reportedly not yet delivered the hand sanitizer to the North.

By Lee Je-hun, senior staff writer

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