[앵커]
As the spread of Corona 19 in North Korea is accelerating, it was found that the number of new fever patients reached close to 300,000 today.
In the midst of this, the Korean government is reviewing the direction of making an official offer to North Korea for COVID-19 prevention and treatment support earlier this week.
Connect with reporters. Reporter Han Yeon-hee!
[기자]
Yes, it is the Ministry of Unification, Foreign Affairs and Security.)
[앵커]
Is the spread of COVID-19 in North Korea high?
[기자]
Yes, North Korean state-run media, such as the Korean Central News Agency, said that from the evening of the previous evening until 6 pm yesterday, there were 296,180 new cases of fever, and 15 people died.
In addition, regarding 496,30 patients with fever have recovered, and regarding 325,550 are receiving treatment.
Since the end of last month, the number of fever cases has reached 82,620, and the cumulative number of deaths is 42.
When North Korea first officially acknowledged the onset of COVID-19 on the 12th, there were regarding 18,000 cases of fever.
Considering that 174,400 cases of fever occurred the next day, the spread of the virus is very steep.
North Korea’s state-run media still uses the expression ‘a fever patient’ rather than a ‘confirmed person’.
Because there are no self-test kits and PCR test materials, it seems that they do not even know the exact size of how many people have been confirmed.
In particular, the media reported that a large proportion of deaths were due to negligence in drug use, which was caused by a lack of awareness and understanding of COVID-19 and not knowing how to treat it.
In this regard, North Korea said that it is spreading propaganda to inform the people regarding proper treatment methods and common sense of hygiene.
[앵커]
The situation in North Korea seems to be serious, but the Korean government is expected to make proposals in relation to the prevention of Corona virus earlier this week?
[기자]
Yes, as President Yun Seok-yeol directly expressed his intention to provide vaccines and medicines to North Korea, the Korean government is likely to make an official proposal soon.
An official from the Ministry of Unification said earlier this week that they are considering a direction to officially propose support to North Korea for the prevention of COVID-19.
After consultations between related ministries are complete, the most likely method is for the Ministry of Unification to send a traditional message to North Korea through the communication line of the inter-Korean liaison office, saying, ‘Let’s have a working-level contact because there is an intention to support quarantine.’
However, it is unclear whether North Korea will respond to our proposal for quarantine cooperation.
Although the situation of Corona 19 is getting more serious, North Korea is showing an atmosphere to respond on its own without external help, saying that it has not been an out-of-control spread between regions.
However, it is estimated that the current North Korean drug supply is difficult to the extent that Chairman Kim Jong-un and other executives have to donate emergency medicines.
In this situation, it is noteworthy how North Korea will respond to our offer of assistance.
Until now, this is YTN Han Yeon-hee from the Ministry of Unification, Foreign Affairs and Security.
YTN Han Yeon-hee (hyheee@ytn.co.kr)
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