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Virus: UN expert asks Pyongyang to let doctors and aid workers come

2020-03-09T16:37:30.202Z



The UN Special Rapporteur on North Korea said on Monday that Pyongyang should allow the arrival of doctors and aid workers to assess the effects of a possible coronavirus epidemic on the population.

Read also: Coronavirus: the mad rush of the epidemic continues

North Korea, which has closed its borders and adopted drastic containment measures against the virus, has so far not announced any confirmed cases of contamination on its soil. But Pyongyang " should allow full and unhindered access to medical experts and humanitarian workers, " said Tomas Ojea Quintana, at a press conference in Geneva. He also called for a " review " of international sanctions against North Korea, saying that " further isolating the country is not the solution ".

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 now prohibits the arrival of tourists strangers. Subject to multiple international sanctions due to its banned nuclear and ballistic programs, North Korea has a notoriously failing medical system and many experts believe that prevention is for Pyongyang the only way to avoid a serious health crisis. The United Nations estimates that more than 43% of the North Korean population suffers from malnutrition. " Many North Koreans are malnourished, stunted and therefore more vulnerable if they are infected " with the coronavirus, said Tomas Ojea Quintana, presenting a report to the Human Rights Council. UN man in Geneva.

Read also: Coronavirus: diplomats evacuated from North Korea

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-03-09

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