North Korea chaos: Source within hermit state breaks cover to reveal panic over new plans
FEARS have erupted in North Korea ahead of the planned re-opening of schools as residents warn there are no basic supplies to protect the children.
North Korea: Nurse shows scars received from trying to defect
As it stands, the North Korean government has publicly stated there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state - a claim strongly questioned by outside experts. Schools are due to reopen on June 1 but residents in the country have expressed their concern the virus will soon spread among the pupils. Although the government has issued a start date to the new term, they have not sent out sufficient supplies to help protect the schools from spreading the virus.
A source told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service the government enforced quarantine directives but neglected to send out any basic supplies to the populous.
With some parts of the country struggling to receive adequate water and electrical supplies, the source stated it would be impossible to acquire even basic hygiene or disinfectant supplies.
They said: “Each school here in Hyesan the province’s largest city, is deeply troubled about how they will prevent the spread of the coronavirus among the students.
“The provincial education ministry issued guidelines to each school, calling for quarantine preparations and preventative measures so they can respond quickly under unexpected circumstances, and maintain constant pressure against the coronavirus.
“They didn’t provide any quarantine supplies, they just ordered the schools to prepare the base materials for disinfectant and to stockpile emergency medicines on their own, so residents and school officials are criticizing the educational authorities.
“The Central Committee must be aware that it is impossible for each school to secure disinfectant or quarantine supplies on its own, especially when basic living necessities like water and electricity are not properly supplied in Hyesan.
“But under these circumstances, the authorities can still be so brazen to give schools and students orders to strictly follow their quarantine guidelines.”
The government has previously postponed the re-opening of schools four times this year.
JUST IN: UK evacuates North Korean diplomats and shuts down Pyongyang embassy
Initially, schools were due to begin on February 17 but authorities pushed back the winter break to March 23 and then April 20 before the new date was introduced.
A resident of the country also confirmed the state has ordered the opening of schools but has failed to provide any basic disinfection products.
Due to the lack of supplies, they are worried the virus could soon “spread among students”.
The second source said: “The Central Committee of the Korean Workers’ Party ordered schools in the province to start on June 1, so they are busy preparing for classes.
DON'T MISS
Kim Jong-un: How friends exposed what North Korea's leader was like [Update]
Kim Jong-un's 'North Korea uprising' nightmare revealed [Latest]
North Korea: Defector reveals torture scars from Kim Jong-un regime [Update]
“According to their instructions, educational institution personnel should inspect educational sites with quarantine agencies to prepare for the smooth opening of schools based on the inspection results.
“Upon hearing the Ministry of Education's decision to open up in June, residents are worried that the epidemic will spread among the students.
“In educational institutions, such as schools and kindergartens, group activities are essential.
“Residents are worried because children do not have necessary basics of personal hygiene and disinfection.
“The Ministry of Education is requiring schools and kindergartens to prepare disinfectant makers and base materials for disinfectant to ensure the students can use it.
“They are not issuing the schools any supplies they are only saying the schools should have strict quarantine measures and thoroughly conduct on-site disinfection.”
While schools and education centres across the country will reopen, the UK has been forced to close its embassy in Pyongyang, the capital.
The ambassador, Colin Crooks confirmed the news while the Foreign Office stated the temporary move was made due to North Korea closing its borders.
Mr Crooks said: “The British Embassy in Pyongyang closed temporarily on 27 May 2020 and all diplomatic staff have left the DPRK for the time being.”
The Foreign Office also insisted the UK intends to maintain diplomatic ties with the state and will look to re-establish the embassy when it is possible to do so.