Kim Jong-Un at the National Meeting for Emergency Anti-epidemic Review (Source : KNCA)

Despite the world transitioning into an "endemic" phase, the border between China and North Korea remains shut. Although North Korea has been considering the possibility of opening its borders due to recent economic and food shortages, there has been little progress on that front. Instead, it appears to be doubling down on pandemic prevention measures, cautioning its citizens not to lower their guard.

On April 25th, Rodong Sinmun published an article titled "We Should Not Delay Our Vigilance," emphasizing the need to remain vigilant. The article highlights that even a momentary lapse in vigilance or carelessness could lead to another severe crisis for the country. It also points out that carelessness and negligence are the biggest obstacles to emergency epidemic prevention efforts.

In January 2020, North Korea closed its borders as part of COVID-19 prevention measures. While the economic situation has worsened over the past three years, some China-North Korea freight trains resumed operations in the middle of last year, and in late March, reports indicated that China-North Korea traders became busier with the appointment of Wang Yajun as Chinese Ambassador to North Korea after a two-year vacancy. Despite this, North Korea has made it clear that it will continue to follow a control-centric emergency quarantine policy internally and is drawing a line on the possibility of lifting quarantine measures, which some have suggested.

Amidst severe economic difficulties, North Korean authorities have postponed the opening of their borders, citing concerns not only over the spread of COVID-19, but also the potential for outside influences to enter the country. This cautionary stance echoes the country's position in June 1989, following the Tiananmen Square protests and massacre in China, when North Korea advocated for the need for openness while insisting on having a "wind protection" measure in place before opening up their borders. North Korea has referred to the potential entry of capitalist culture and values if it were to open its borders as the "yellow wind," which they fear would undermine their society. During a time of intense economic crisis and international sanctions caused by nuclear development, the North Korean government supported "wind protection measures" aimed at blocking the yellow wind, which eventually resulted in repeated setbacks and unsuccessful attempts to open up.

Despite the significant harm caused by the COVID-19 prevention blockade on the North Korean economy and the livelihoods of its people, the regime is continuing to repeat history by using pandemic prevention as an excuse to control the thoughts and actions of citizens and restrict the influx of South Korean culture. The regime's main goal is to consolidate power, even if it means sacrificing citizens' well-being. In December 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea passed the "Reactionary Ideology and Culture” law which included the death penalty for South Korean video distributors and up to 15 years of imprisonment for viewers. Additionally, in September 2021, they passed the "Youth Education Guarantee Act" to control the ideology and expressions of the younger generation. The regime intends to prevent any alteration in the mindset and spirit of the younger generation.

North Korean citizens are struggling, but the country's leadership continues to prioritize the importation of luxury goods for Kim Jong-un and the elite. Last year, our intelligence agency found that North Korea imported luxury cars, high-end liquor, and small yachts despite the nation's economic crisis. These luxury goods were reportedly smuggled by sea to avoid detection. In August 2021, the National Intelligence Service reported to the Intelligence Committee that North Korea had added high-end whiskey and suits to the list of items allowed for import, in addition to refined oil imports and mineral exports, as a condition for resuming dialogue with the United States. Despite the food crisis being severe and comparable to a "war-level economic crisis" due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the regime is still focused on securing luxury goods for the ruling class.

The COVID-19 lockdown has not only affected the lives of North Korean citizens but also those of North Korean workers overseas. Due to the lockdown, they have been unable to return home for years and are unable to communicate with their families in North Korea. As overseas factories reduce their workforce, the workers' income has decreased while the various payments to the North Korean government have increased. Some of these workers are now regretting their decision to work abroad due to the excessive payments they are required to make. North Korean workers sent to China reportedly face issues such as overwork, poor quality of food, and unfavorable working conditions, leading to negative impacts on their health. Moreover, a significant number of North Korean workers in Russia, estimated to be around 30,000, are struggling with long working hours to pay off their debts to the government while living in shared accommodations.

North Korean residents are facing an even more severe situation. In certain areas, there is rampant starvation, and homeless individuals known as Kotjebi have resurfaced on the streets. The North Korean government's persistent pursuit of the failed pursuing “self-rehabilitation" has shown that it cannot even solve the issue of hunger. The only solution to alleviate the suffering of North Korean residents is through economic development by means of opening up. If the North Korean leader believes in their people and the people believe in their leader, then they should boldly open their doors without a "wind blocker" to prevent the "yellow wind" from entering. If North Korea genuinely cares about improving the livelihoods of its citizens and chooses the path of openness, then South Korea and the international community are always prepared to cooperate and offer assistance.