North Korea Would Not Be Able to Handle Spread of Coronavirus, Says Naval War College Expert
Thursday, February 20, 2020
U.S. Naval War College Korean peninsula expert Dr. Terry Roehrig appeared on GoLocal LIVE, where he spoke to how he believes that North Korea would be ill-equipped to handle the new coronavirus if it were to spread rapidly in the country.
While reports currently state that there are no indications of coronavirus in the country, Roehrig said he does not believe that is the case.
“I think there is likely some degree of virus spread in the country, it may be minimal but it’s hard to tell,” said Roehrig. “There are a couple of reports from South Korean sources that indicate there may be some cases.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRoehrig said that the North Korean government would “not very well” be able to address the spread of the virus, given the state of the country’s health infrastructure.
“What is clear is that the North Korean government is taking this very seriously. They understand that they are vulnerable,” he said. “First of all, there are many reports of food insecurity and chronic malnutrition still throughout North Korea, so these kinds of viruses, the immune system of the general population, it’s going to be difficult if something gets started — it’s going to be hard for people to fight off. Then if it starts, the healthcare system is not in very good shape — it is lacking in technology and equipment.”
Roehrig spoke to the North Korean borders — including who is allowed, and who is not, to come and go from the country, and why the illegal Chinese commerce trade could prove to be particularly problematic.
“The United States indicated it would be willing to provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea — I think the North Koreans would be open to it, but with a certain amount of control,” said Roehrig, of the potential for international aid if coronavirus were to spread. “They aren’t typically comfortable letting foreigners drop around the country without some sort of control and monitoring.”
Roehrig also spoke to the latest international relations as it pertained to North Korea denuclearizing, which he said he doesn’t expect to happen “anytime soon.”
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