North Korea takes emergency measures against coronavirus

A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport checks the temperature of passengers arriving from China, Tuesday, amid the spread of coronavirus. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

North Korea has stepped up efforts to contain the spread of a newly identified type of coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, according to its state-run newspaper, Tuesday. The virus has so far killed at least 106 people and infected 4,515 others in China alone.

The Rodong Sinmun said in its article the health authorities have taken emergency measures to deal with the disease that has triggered fears and concerns over public health.

“Quarantine efforts are underway ... to prevent the new coronavirus from ever entering our country,” the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party said.

Authorities have stepped up inspections at borders, ports and airports and are thoroughly monitoring those who recently traveled abroad to make sure they can be isolated when they are suspected of having the disease, the paper added.

Another state-run media outlet also urged people to be more careful with their personal hygiene, citing an official of the health authorities.

Amid growing concerns over the outbreak of the virus, the North reportedly closed its borders with China as a precaution earlier this month. There has been no official confirmation from the country.

It is not an unusual move as the North Korean regime has taken tough action against global epidemics in the past.

In response to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2015, the North instructed its officials and workers in China to refrain from returning home, while it also suspended flights between Pyongyang and Beijing when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) swept across the world in 2003.

The newspaper also reported several cases from other countries, including the United States, Japan and South Korea. As of Tuesday, Korea has reported four confirmed cases of the potentially deadly coronavirus.

Considering the virus has been detected in the South, the North has asked South Korean officials working at their joint liaison office in the border city of Gaeseong to wear masks as part of its beefed-up quarantine efforts, according to the South's unification ministry.

Seoul is also checking the temperature of the officials heading to the office. Previously, the authorities just checked their temperature when they crossed the border to return home.

“It is necessary to keep an eye on the situation (in the North),” a ministry official said. “Chances appear to be low that the Wuhan coronavirus could spread between the two Koreas through human contact.”