Coronavirus: diplomats evacuated from North Korea

Foreign diplomats were evacuated this Monday, March 9 from North Korea after weeks of strict quarantine imposed by Pyongyang against the coronavirus, measures which led France to temporarily close its representation in the country.

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North Korea, which has not reported any contamination on its soil, has taken drastic measures to stem the spread of the virus, closing its borders and confining thousands of people. The authorities have also subjected hundreds of foreign nationals, including diplomats present in Pyongyang, since the end of January to a draconian regime of home quarantine.

60 people evacuated

Diplomats left North Korea on Monday after press reports of an evacuation flight of foreign nationals from Pyongyang to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East.

An Air Koryo plane from Pyongyang arrived at 12:49 a.m. local time on Monday in Vladivostok, according to the website of the Russian airport. Press reports have reported that around 60 people will be evacuated on the flight.

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German and French diplomats were among them: " Sad to have to say goodbye this morning to colleagues from the German embassy and the French (cooperation) office in North Korea, who are temporarily closing ," the British ambassador tweeted on Monday. Pyongyang, Colin Crooks. He said the British embassy, ​​on the other hand, remained open.

Taking note of " drastic containment measures " in North Korea, France announced Thursday " temporarily close " its Cooperation Office in Pyongyang, where it does not have an embassy, ​​believing that its operation was " seriously hampered ".

Faulty medical system

The restrictions imposed by Pyongyang were only eased last week, more than a month after their implementation. " I have never been so happy to stand on Kim Il Sung square ," said Swedish ambassador Joachim Bergström, then posted a photo on Twitter showing him in the center of the capital.

Read also: South Korea battles against coronavirus

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned in February of " the serious consequences " of a possible spread of the coronavirus in his country, which has suspended air and rail links with the outside world and banned the arrival of foreign tourists .

Targeted by multiple international sanctions due to its banned nuclear and ballistic programs, North Korea has a notoriously flawed medical system and many experts believe that prevention is for Pyongyang the only way to avoid a serious health crisis.