hankyoreh

This photo, released by state-run media, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting a pharmacy in Pyongyang to “acquaint himself with the supply of medicines” on May 15. (KCNA/Yonhap News)

Amidst its first domestic COVID-19 outbreak, North Korea is reportedly discussing aid measures with China.

“I understand that North Korea and China are discussing aid measures related to [the COVID-19 situation],” a source told the Hankyoreh on Monday. The possible provision of masks, medicine, and even Chinese vaccines seem to be under discussion. North Korea is in short supply of masks and fever-reducing medicine, not to mention COVID-19 vaccines.

Although North Korea has been claiming that it is a “COVID-free country” thanks to strict border controls for over two years, the number of cases of fever recently exceeded 1.2 million domestically while more than 50 people have already died.

"A most serious emergency case of the state occurred: A break was made on our emergency epidemic prevention front which was firmly defended for two years and three months from February, 2020,” Kim Jong-un said on May 12 during a meeting of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea.

The international community, including South Korea, has been expressing willingness to help, but North Korea's gaze seems focused on China for now.

According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on May 14, Kim Jong-un told the Politburo members to, "actively learn from the advanced and rich anti-epidemic successes and experience already gained by the Chinese party and people.”

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a regular press briefing that China “will strengthen anti-pandemic cooperation with the DPRK, and provide our support and assistance in light of the DPRK’s need,” referring to North Korea by an abbreviated form of its official name.

However, it is unclear whether China will be able to provide sufficient support to North Korea as its own COVID-19 situation is also dire. In particular, the March and April COVID-19 outbreaks in Shanghai and Beijing have not subsided and medical resources remain concentrated in these two cities.

North Korea reportedly refused vaccines from China last year. At that time, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Korea and the reliability of Chinese vaccines was not high. North Korea reportedly purchased some Chinese vaccines for research purposes only last year.

By Choi Hyun-june, Beijing correspondent

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]