We begin an discussion with experts from around the world.
For weeks now,... we have seen the COVID-19 pandemic rage across the world.
North Korea is one of the few countries reporting zero cases, if you choose to believe that.
Concerns and suspicions remain about how the reclusive nation is handling the illness.
There has also been speculation around the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
over the past 24 hours,... after CNN quoted an unnamed U.S. official who claimed Kim was
in critical condition after getting heart surgery.
There have been conflicting statements from S. Korean and U.S. officials regarding the
matter but it seems no one seems to have any clear idea.
Today, we zoom in on North Korea. We connect with Kim Jeong-min, a correspondent for NK
News based in Seoul,... and Dr. Mark P. Barry, Associate Editor of the International Journal
on World Peace, who has been following North Korea issues for three decades.
Jeongmin, speculation often surfaces about North Korea’s leadership based on their
attendance at important state events. This time round, Kim Jong-un missed the annual
public event making the anniversary of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung’s, birth.
Why is this seen as particularly abnormal and what did you make of the conflicting messages
swirling around about Kim's health? Dr. Barry: Whether Kim Jong-un is in ill health,
or not, it's raised a lot of questions over what will happen should he become incapacitated
or die, as he doesn't have an immediate successor. If he was critically ill or died, who would
take over the regime? For weeks now, the world has been grappling
with the coronavirus. North Korea has reported zero cases. But we've
been hearing reports that the regime has requested and received aid from the International Red
Cross, UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders, and it seems they've had some containment
measures in place as some children were reportedly going back to school.
Jeongmin, what are you hearing about the situation there how is this affecting the daily life
of North Korean citizens? Dr. Barry: If North Korea is concealing the
true numbers, how do you explain the regime's motivaton behind doing that?
Jeongmin: Handling the coronavirus was one of the major talking points of the ruling
party's politburo meeting. How serious do you think the situation is right now and how
have authorities been dealing with it? Dr. Barry & Jeongmin: What unique challenges
does North Korea face regarding the pandemic? (In terms of flattening the curve, and the
impact on the North's already fragile ability to take care of the health of its citizens
as well as its economy) Dr. Barry: It seems President Trump has reached
out to North Korea in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. But his claim of receiving a "nice
letter" from KJU was sharply denied by the North Korean regime. What do you think is
going on here? I'm afraid that's
all
we have time for today.
Thank you Kim
Jeong-min, correspondent for NK News and Dr. Mark P. Barry, Associate Editor at
the International Journal for
World Peace.