State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that, as of 16 May, 56 people, including at least six children, had died of COVID-19 and that 663,910 people were undergoing medical treatment due to fever.

“We are deeply concerned about the likely human rights impact of the first officially reported outbreak of COVID-19 in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the subsequent lockdown imposed by the authorities,” said Liz Throssell, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 “In the absence of any vaccination rollout, the pandemic's reported spread may have a devastating impact on the human rights situation in the country. The DPRK has a very limited healthcare infrastructure to cope with such a crisis, as it lacks testing capacity, essential medicines, and equipment,” Throssell added.

The DPRK closed its borders in January 2020 as the pandemic first began spreading worldwide. Limited internal freedom of movement resulted in restricted access to food, medicines, and healthcare. The repression of civil and political rights increased during this period, in particular as a result of a policy authorizing use of lethal force against people attempting to leave or enter the country, and severe penalties for accessing independent health-related information from outside the DPRK.

“The latest restrictions, which include putting people under stricter isolation and imposing further travel restrictions, will have dire consequences for those already struggling to meet their basic needs - including getting enough food to eat. Children, lactating mothers, older people, the homeless and those living in more isolated rural and border areas are especially vulnerable. Those in detention are also particularly exposed to the risk of infection due to the high concentrations of people in the confined spaces and limited access to hygiene and healthcare. Malnutrition was already widespread in places of detention before the onset of COVID-19,” Throssell said.  

“We urge the DPRK authorities to ensure that all measures adopted to tackle the pandemic are necessary, proportionate, non-discriminatory, time-bound, and strictly in line with international human rights law,” she added. 

“Responding adequately to COVID-19 calls for solidarity and cooperation between Governments and the wider international community. We encourage the DPRK, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with the United Nations the opening of channels for humanitarian support, including medicines, vaccines, equipment, and other life-saving support. We also urge the authorities to facilitate the return of UN and other international staff to the DPRK to assist in the provision of support, including to vulnerable populations and those living in rural and border areas,” Throssell concluded.

Ends

For more information and media requests, please contact for more information and media requests, please contact: Ravina Shamdasani  + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or 

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or Lori Brumat  + 41 22 928 9149 / lori.brumat@un.org

 Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights

1. Exterior shot: Alley of Flags, Palais des Nations
2. SOUNDBITE (English)— Liz Throssell, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “We are deeply concerned about the likely human rights impact of the first officially reported outbreak of COVID-19 in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the subsequent lockdown imposed by the authorities.”
3. Cut away: briefing room podium and camera
4. SOUNDBITE (English)— Liz Throssell, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “In the absence of any vaccination rollout, the pandemic's reported spread may have a devastating impact on the human rights situation in the country. The DPRK has a very limited healthcare infrastructure to cope with such a crisis, as it lacks testing capacity, essential medicines, and equipment.”
5. Cut away: briefing room
6. SOUNDBITE (English)— Liz Throssell, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The latest restrictions, which include putting people under stricter isolation and imposing further travel restrictions, will have dire consequences for those already struggling to meet their basic needs - including getting enough food to eat. Children, lactating mothers, older people, the homeless and those living in more isolated rural and border areas are especially vulnerable. Those in detention are also particularly exposed to the risk of infection due to the high concentrations of people in the confined spaces and limited access to hygiene and healthcare. Malnutrition was already widespread in places of detention before the onset of COVID-19.”
7. Cut away: briefing room
8. SOUNDBITE (English)— Liz Throssell, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “We urge the DPRK authorities to ensure that all measures adopted to tackle the pandemic are necessary, proportionate, non-discriminatory, time-bound, and strictly in line with international human rights law.”
9. Cut away: briefing room
10. SOUNDBITE (English)— Liz Throssell, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Responding adequately to COVID-19 calls for solidarity and cooperation between Governments and the wider international community. We encourage the DPRK, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with the United Nations the opening of channels for humanitarian support, including medicines, vaccines, equipment, and other life-saving support. We also urge the authorities to facilitate the return of UN and other international staff to the DPRK to assist in the provision of support, including to vulnerable populations and those living in rural and border areas.”