North Korea completely cut off its dealings with China in a drastic effort against the "vital threat" from the corona virus.

After the outbreak of pneumonia, North Korea was one of the first countries in the world to decide to ban foreigners from entering the country, mainly tourists from neighboring China, which is reeling. because of the new strain of corona virus (nCoV).

After closing the border with foreigners, North Korea also took drastic steps such as stopping trade with China, its main economic partner and allies, and restricting its activities abroad because diplomatic purpose. As a result, North Korea has so far not recorded any cases of nCoV infection.

However, shrinking, cutting itself off to the outside world means that North Korea is forced to accept important revenue from cross-border tourism and trade. Kang Chol-hwan, a North Korean defector, said all trains along the Sino-Korean border were canceled and trucks were not allowed to pass. According to the Seoul-based Korea International Trade Association, 92% of Korea's total trade last year was from China.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), North Korea has not had any cases of nCoV, but Jilin and Liaoning, two Chinese provinces bordering the country, as of Feb. 9, have a total of 183 people infected. Pandemic pneumonia has been reported in 26 countries and territories, causing at least 1,018 deaths and 43,098 cases.

Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO representative in North Korea, said the organization is working with all member countries, including Pyongyang, to combat the corona virus. He added that the WHO will also send medical personnel to North Korea, while also providing supplies such as gowns, goggles and testing equipment.

Salvador confirmed that North Korea "is taking measures to protect the health of its people". "Anti-epidemic stations" are set up nationwide. The government has also promoted the production of masks and drugs, and even developed a new treatment method to "completely stop the virus from spreading," North Korean media said.

Several sources familiar with the matter said foreign diplomats in Pyongyang received a notice that they were not allowed to leave their homes for 14 days. North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong also canceled plans to go to Germany to attend a conference on security, South Korean media reported.

"North Korea has completely isolated itself," said Kang Chol-hwan, who holds the position of director of the Seoul-based Strategic Center.

Experts say Pyongyang's "snail-shell" approach is easy to understand because North Korea's outdated healthcare system makes it hard for them to face the outbreak of nCoV. The country lacks resources to diagnose and treat patients, while the treatment of acute pneumonia requires expensive supplies such as ventilators, fluids and blood pressure medications, Harvard Medical University lecturer Kee B. Park said.

"If a major outbreak worsens hospitals, they will run out of supplies very quickly," said Dr. Park, who has visited North Korean healthcare facilities.

Meanwhile, North Korea is unlikely to receive additional support or additional resources from outside, due to a series of international sanctions on its nuclear program. In addition, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is unlikely to accept international support.

"This is a real threat to North Korea," said Rodger Baker, vice president of US-based consulting firm Stratfor. "The structure of their health system cannot control things like the corona virus." North Korean media also called preventing nCoV as "a matter of national life and death".

The epidemic, declared by WHO as a global emergency, continues to increase the burden on Kim Jong-un, who is facing pressure due to the country's sluggish economy. In a speech earlier this year, North Korean leaders called on people to "tighten their belts" and prepare for a long struggle with the US.

Kim said he no longer felt the need to be tied to his commitment to stop testing nuclear and long-range missiles, a move Pyongyang said was a concession on their part after the first US-North Korea summit in Singapore in June. 2018. The two countries have not held any work-level talks since October last year. US President Donald Trump also did not mention North Korea in the Federal Message on February 5.

Earlier this month, the central news agency KCNA quoted Mr. Kim's warning as to announce a new strategic weapon in the near future, but did not provide details. However, Pyongyang in recent weeks has been quite "silent", nor has it conducted any short-range weapons tests for nearly two months. Media in the country also less attacked the Trump administration.

Some North Korean experts have predicted that Pyongyang could launch a new transcontinental ballistic missile in this month's parade, to commemorate the founding of the army and Kim Jong-il's birthday. , Kim Jong-un's father. However, the threat from nCoV could distract the country in the near future.

"A provocative and confrontational campaign requires resources, time and attention. These are now focused on something else," said Gordon Flake, an expert at the Asia-America Center in Perth. , Australia, explained.

During the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic raging in 2002-2003, North Korea was forced to allow foreign aid agencies to visit the country to help fight the deadly virus. Hoo Chiew Ping, an expert at the National University of Malaysia, said that the incident made humiliating Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea at that time.

"Now the North Korean government is trying to build a resilient image. This is the problem that Kim Jong-un needs to calculate very carefully," Ping said.