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.