SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – A UN spokesman said the world body in North Korea has run out of international officials, who are now working remotely.
Despite claiming to be free of the coronavirus, North Korea has closed its borders as part of strict anti-pandemic measures that also involved the departure of diplomats and foreigners.
Earlier this week, the last two remaining international UN officials, both from the World Food Program, reportedly left Pyongyang.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday in New York that the UN office remains open and functioning, and continues to work remotely for the benefit of the people of North Korea, together with the local team.
Dujarric said that after more than a year in North Korea, international UN officials have traveled home to visit their families and are expected to return to Pyongyang once the closure of the pandemic-related border has been canceled for UN officials.
Dujarric said WFP operations will be managed by local officials in Pyongyang and international employees working remotely.
Several UN agencies, including WFP, WHO and UNICEF, have offices in North Korea. But it is unclear when their international employees can return.
Experts question the allegation of zero cases in North Korea. North Korea, whose public health system remains in ruins, is in danger of a humanitarian crisis if there is a major outbreak.
An international health group set up to promote global access to coronavirus vaccines said last month that North Korea could receive 1.9 million doses of vaccines made in India during the first half of the year. North Korea has about 26 million inhabitants.
“The UN is working with the government to support a COVAX vaccination campaign and hopes that this will provide an opportunity for employees to return and increase our support,” said Dujarric.
The pandemic closure of the border, which has drastically reduced North Korea’s foreign trade, is a major blow to its fragile economy, along with UN sanctions and natural disasters that killed plantations last year.
“COVID’s strict preventive measures have impacted humanitarian operations in (North Korea), causing a reduction in operational capacity, a shortage of essential humanitarian supplies and a delay in the delivery of the humanitarian program,” said Dujarric.
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The Associated Press editor, Edith M. Lederer, from the United Nations, contributed to this report.