North Korea’s COVID-19 data has disappeared, but that’s just part of the problem



News North Korea’s COVID-19 data has disappeared, but that’s just part of the problem The DPRK is becoming increasingly mysterious as defectors and in-country foreigners plummet Won-Gi Jung February 24, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Rodong Sinmun For months, North Korea shared its COVID-19 data with the World Health Organization (WHO), all while barring international travelers from entering the country and monitoring the situation for themselves. But in recent weeks, specific North Korean testing and quarantine numbers have vanished from WHO reports, leading some experts to wonder what’s going on in an increasingly-isolated and poverty-stricken country. “Sharing of data is a crucial part of pandemic control,” said Kee B. Park, a lecturer on global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School. “It obviously prevents WHO from fully understanding the ongoing situation.” For some North Korea watchers © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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North Korea’s COVID-19 data has disappeared, but that’s just part of the problem

The DPRK is becoming increasingly mysterious as defectors and in-country foreigners plummet

Won-Gi Jung February 24, 2021

North Korea’s COVID-19 data has disappeared, but that’s just part of the problem

Rodong Sinmun

For months, North Korea shared its COVID-19 data with the World Health Organization (WHO), all while barring international travelers from entering the country and monitoring the situation for themselves. But in recent weeks, specific North Korean testing and quarantine numbers have vanished from WHO reports, leading some experts to wonder what’s going on in an increasingly-isolated and poverty-stricken country.

“Sharing of data is a crucial part of pandemic control,” said Kee B. Park, a lecturer on global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School. “It obviously prevents WHO from fully understanding the ongoing situation.”

For some North Korea watchers