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Allies' North Korea policy at crossroads amid COVID spread in Pyongyang

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In this March 18 file photo, employees spray disinfectant as part of preventative measures against COVID-19 at the Pyongyang Children's Department Store in Pyongyang. AFP-Yonhap
In this March 18 file photo, employees spray disinfectant as part of preventative measures against COVID-19 at the Pyongyang Children's Department Store in Pyongyang. AFP-Yonhap

President Yoon offers to provide Pyongyang with COVID-19 vaccines

By Nam Hyun-woo

South Korea and the United States face a watershed moment in their policies toward North Korea, as the reclusive regime has made it public that it is experiencing an "explosive" outbreak of COVID-19.

According to the North's Korean Central News Agency, Friday, the country has reported six deaths from the pandemic, with one of them testing positive for the Omicron variant. It added that symptoms of fever were newly reported among more than 18,000 people on the day alone.

"A fever whose cause couldn't be identified explosively spread nationwide from late April and more than 350,000 people got fever in a short span of time," the agency reported. "And at least 162,200 out of them were healed completely."

The report came just a day after the regime for the first time acknowledged the coronavirus outbreak, and its leader Kim Jong-un declared a shift to an emergency antivirus system. Until then, the North had been flatly denying any COVID-19 cases in the country.

Pyongyang did not seek assistance from the outside world, as the number of deaths in the country remains at a relatively low level, but experts say leader Kim may consider requesting coronavirus aid packages, if the pandemic spreads explosively in North Korea.

"So far, the North has reported one Omicron-related death, it is expected that the North will not accept aid from the outside world, especially the Western world, for a while," said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Center for North Korean Studies at the Sejong Institute.

"However, if the number of Omicron deaths soar, the North will have no option but to request China's assistance first, and then they may consider the Western world's aid if the situation gets out of control for the regime."

If the North begins receiving vaccines, treatments and other supplies required for containing the pandemic, many experts said it will be a chance for Seoul and Washington to restart talks with Pyongyang and alleviate the current tensions that the regime is creating with its missile and nuclear threats.

During a National Assembly confirmation hearing on Thursday, Seoul's unification minister nominee Kwon Young-se said, "Exploiting North Korea's difficult situation can be problematic in the sense of morality, but we have the intention to actively help Pyongyang to solve its difficulties."

Cheong also said, "Potential inter-Korean quarantine cooperation can help the two sides to lower military tensions and resume talks," adding South Korea may be able to provide a coronavirus-relief package to North Korea through China or other international organizations if it remains reluctant to receive help.

Also on Friday, President Yoon Suk-yeol offered to provide North Korea with COVID-19 vaccines and other medical supplies, spokesperson Kang In-sun said in a statement, adding that the government will discuss details with the North's counterparts.

Later in the day, Yoon said the government will propose talks with the North about his offer through the unification ministry channel.

In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo carried by Rodong Shinmun, North Korea's KN-25 missile launchers are displayed in a military parade. The North claims they are large multiple launch artillery rocket systems. Yonhap
In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo carried by Rodong Shinmun, North Korea's KN-25 missile launchers are displayed in a military parade. The North claims they are large multiple launch artillery rocket systems. Yonhap

However, North Korea's unwavering pursuit of heightening tensions and its hawkish response to South Korea and the U.S. authorities could dash this optimism.

According to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired three ballistic missiles on Thursday, marking the first round of missile launches since Yoon took office two days before.

The JCS said the missiles flew approximately 360 kilometers though the U.S. military assessed that they did not pose an immediate threat. The South Korean military reportedly assumes that the missiles were the KN-25 short-range ballistic missiles, which the North defines as "rockets."

Though the missiles have a shorter range than those fired previously, both the South Korean and U.S. governments have shown a stringent response.

According to the presidential office, Friday, Kim Sung-han, head of South Korea's Office of National Security and his counterpart Jake Sullivan held a phone conversation Thursday and expressed "serious concerns over North Korea's recent provocation."

The previous Moon Jae-in administration refrained from describing North Korea's missile launches as a provocation since September last year, after Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's sister, claimed that describing the North's missile launches as a provocation is South Korea's double standard which hampers Moon's proposal of proclaiming an official end to the Korean War.

However, President Yoon has projected a hardline approach to North Korea's threats as part of his campaign pledges before being elected, even mentioning the necessity of a preemptive strike to counter Pyongyang's serious threats.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said in a press briefing that "the United States assesses that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) could be ready to conduct a (nuclear) test there as early as this month," adding this assessment is consistent with Pyongyang's recent public statements and destabilizing actions.

She also said that the U.S. continues to support "international efforts aimed at the provision of critical humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable North Koreans," but the country does not currently have plans to share vaccines with the North.

"Any inter-Korean cooperation in fighting COVID-19 will not be easy, because the South Korean government is now led by hawkish figures, who are describing North Korea's short range ballistic missile launch as a serious provocation," Cheong said.



Nam Hyun-woo namhw@koreatimes.co.kr


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