North Korea’s COVID-19 outbreak, South Korea’s character of supporting vaccines

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the National Emergency Prevention and Control headquarters in Pyongyang on May 12 – Photo: KCNA

“President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to support the North Korean people with COVID-19 vaccines and other medical supplies. We will discuss detailed plans to support North Korea,” a spokesman for the North’s office said. Mr. Yoon said in a latest statement.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the country recorded more than 18,000 COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths on May 12, bringing the total number of cases to 350,000.

According to Reuters news agency, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council said the US currently has no plans to share a COVID-19 vaccine with Pyongyang, after North Korea announced the outbreak.

According to the spokesman, North Korea has repeatedly refused to receive vaccine funding from the global vaccine sharing project COVAX.

“Although the United States currently has no plans to share vaccines with North Korea, we continue to support international efforts to provide vital humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable North Koreans.” said the spokesman.

As of April, Pyongyang still resolutely refused an offer to support a COVID-19 vaccine from the international community. North Korea has refused nearly 2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and nearly 3 million doses of Sinovac vaccine from the COVAX program.