March 19, 2024
Opinion

Why is the Global Fund pulling out of North Korea?

A withdrawal of essential funding will exacerbate an already-urgent public health crisis

This past week, the world watched in amazement as the leaders of the two Koreas met, shook hands and stepped over the dividing line between the two countries. People all over the world sighed with relief at the easing of tensions.

North Korea experts appeared on television, arguing breathlessly about the meaning of every glance and phrase. And a small community of public health experts gazed quizzically at the screen, thinking, "wait, remind me again why the Global Fund just pulled out of North Korea?"

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