North Korea has recently dispatched a team
of quarantine officials from the Central Party to the Sinuiju Customs House and
other customs offices across the country as a preventative measure against an
outbreak of the Ebola virus.
“Units of fifteen quarantine officials were sent to each customs office in order to step up surveillance against the Ebola
virus,” a source based in South Pyongan Province told
Daily NK on February 10th. “They are carrying out
measures–related to Ebola quarantine efforts– from the Central Party and are
in control of all cross-border movements.”
The dispatch of the teams follows reports surfacing about a trader, allegedly an official at a state-run
enterprise, who traveled to the Rasun area and China late last November, evading
the screening process and making the trip within the span of one night. Prior
to catching wind of the incident, stringent measures were already in
place, handed down by the Central Party to keep the virus out at all costs, but
this incident tipped them off that the measures were not being observed,
prompting the formation of the surveillance team.
According to the source, his case was met with harsh consequences. “He was kicked out of the Party as
punishment for his actions,” she said,
adding that internal investigations are being conducted to ensure anyone who
goes against Ebola-related directives “will not be
forgiven.”
Party penalization is usually carried out
at four different levels–ranging from light to severe–but if caught playing
loose with important measures, some may be summarily dismissed from the Party
altogether, rendering a trade official once part of the Party to the rank of an
ordinary enterprise worker.
This official’s tumble from the upper echelons of power seems to be a warning to others. “The team threatened everyone, saying if
anyone violates Ebola measures it will be considered a direct challenge to the
Marshal [Kim Jong Eun],” the source said. “Because of this, people who are working with customs having been
saying if you get unlucky this time around you might face execution.”
With this step-up in screening against
potential threats of Ebola, some speculate the mandatory quarantine of
foreigners upon entering the country could continue on for a longer period of
time. Pyongyang already issued a ban on foreign tourists last October, fearing an outbreak of the virus domestically, and has since taken extra
precautions, even canceling some major international sporting events that were
slated to take place this year.
This batch of recently dispatched surveillance units are set to carry out their duties until the end of March at their respective customs offices, after which no plans have been disclosed. “Some
had speculated with anticipation that tourists will soon be allowed back in,
but it seems more likely that the ban will not be lifted easily.”
Naturally, the measure is a source of much
contention among the public, as disgruntled residents complain about the state’s ineptitude in attempting to foster a smarter, efficient quarantine system. Most of all, the
exorbitantly stringent ban has made travel more difficult, not only within the
country, but to China, hampering efforts for those involved in the trade sector.
Those involved in cross-border business, or
close to people who are, are aware that China is allowing foreigners to enter
the country, and frequently engage in discourse among themselves trying to comprehend why North Korea cannot manage to find a way to do the
same. “People understand that since the state has no
medication, such measures are being taken because it could cause major problems. But no efforts are being made to fundamentally resolve the crux of the issue–they just ratchet up surveillance instead,” she concluded.
