SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – A UN spokesman said the world body in North Korea had no international personnel, who were now working remotely.
Despite claiming not to be coronavirus free, North Korea has closed its borders as part of strict anti-pandemic measures that also involved the departure of diplomats and foreign nationals.
Earlier this week, the last two international UN staff members, both of whom have the World Food Program, left Pyongyang.
UN spokeswoman Stephane Dujarric said in New York on Friday that the UN office remains open and functioning, and continues to work remotely for the benefit of North Korean residents along with local staff.
Dujarric said UN international staff had traveled home to North Korea after more than a year to visit their families, and that they were expected to return to Pyongyang as soon as the closure of the pandemic to UN staff was lifted word.
Dujarric said the WFP operations would be handled by local staff in Pyongyang and that international staff would work remotely.
Several UN agencies, including WFP, WHO and UNICEF, have offices in North Korea. But it is not clear how soon their international employees can return.
Experts question North Korea’s claim of zero cases. North Korea, whose public health care system remains in shambles, runs the risk of a humanitarian crisis if there is a major outbreak.
An international health group set up to promote global access to coronavirus vaccines said last month that North Korea could receive 1.9 million doses of vaccines manufactured in India in the first half of the year. North Korea has about 26 million people.
“The UN is working with the government to support a COVAX vaccination campaign and hopes it will provide an opportunity for staff to return and increase our support,” Dujarric said.
The dismantling of the pandemic border that caused North Korea’s foreign trade to shrink sharply is a major blow to its fragile economy, coupled with the UN sanctions and the destruction of natural disasters last year.
“The strict COVID prevention measures have had an impact on humanitarian operations in (North Korea), causing reduced operational capacity, delaying supplies of essential humanitarian supplies and the delivery of the humanitarian program,” Dujarric said.
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Associated Press author Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.