SEOUL, South Korea (AP). North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to conduct a harder epidemic prevention campaign following his refusal of foreign COVID-19 vaccines through the U.N.-backed vaccination program.
Kim stated that officials should remember that epidemic prevention must be done with utmost care during a Politburo meeting on Thursday.
Kim stressed the importance of virus prevention, and emphasized the need to increase the qualifications of health workers. However, KCNA stated that Kim also called for an expansion of our epidemic prevention system.
Kim had previously asked North Koreans for COVID-19-restricted preparations. This indicated that the nation's borders would remain closed despite the country's worsening food and economic conditions. Although North Korea claims to have completely eliminated the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2011, it has maintained strict quarantines and closed its borders to stop the spread of the disease.
UNICEF, who procures and delivers vaccines for the COVAX distribution program said Tuesday that North Korea suggested that its 3 million Sinovac shots, which was about 3 million, be sent to countries most in need. North Korea was also scheduled to receive AstraZeneca shots via COVAX. However, their delivery has been delayed.
UNICEF reported that North Korea's health ministry said it will continue to communicate directly with COVAX regarding future vaccines.
Experts believe North Korea might want other vaccines. However, they question the effectiveness of Sinovac as well as the rare blood clots that have been seen in AstraZeneca recipients.
The 950,000 North Koreans who were previously vaccinated with AstraZeneca would have to be vaccinated by the 1.9 million doses. This is only 7.3% of North Korea's 26 million population. North Korea would need to continue to injecting more vaccines.
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Leif-Eric Easley is a professor of international Studies at Seouls Ewha Womans University. He said that North Korea may be looking to get more powerful jabs from COVAX, and then allocate them domestically.
Pyongyang seems to be having issues with COVAX, which involves legal responsibility and reporting requirements. Easley stated that Pyongyang might purchase vaccines from China in order to distribute to soldiers and border regions, while also allocating COVAX shots for less vulnerable populations.
Kim regime is likely to want the best vaccine for its elite. However, administering Pfizer in Pyongyang would require an upgraded cold chain capability and discreet talks with the United States. He said that North Korea could also benefit from the Johnson & Johnson option due to its vaccine portability and one-shot regimen.
A recent U.N. report about North Korea's human rights situation called for Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary General, to ask North Korea to take all necessary steps, including international cooperation and assistance, in order to allow all people access to COVID-19 vaccinations, without discrimination.
He also requested North Korea to create a plan that would allow diplomats and aid workers to return home to North Korea and revive humanitarian aid distribution systems in the wake of its COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Sung Kim, the U.S. top diplomat on North Korea affairs, met with his South Korean counterpart Noh KYU-duk last month. They told reporters they had discussed humanitarian cooperation in North Korea to provide anti-virus resources, sanitation, and safe water.
