SEOUL, March 9, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Several embassies in North Korea closed
Monday as many diplomats were flown out following weeks of tight quarantine
restrictions imposed by Pyongyang over the spread of the novel coronavirus.
North Korea has not confirmed a single infection but has imposed strict
rules, including closing its borders and putting thousands of its own people
into isolation.
It has also subjected hundreds of foreigners — including diplomats — to a
virtual lockdown in their own premises.
Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora described the conditions as “morally
crushing”.
Those restrictions were finally eased last week after more than a month,
when more than 200 foreigners were allowed to leave their compounds.
Swedish ambassador Joachim Bergstrom tweeted a selfie from the city centre
with the caption: “I have never been happier standing on Kim Il Sung Square.”
Monday’s evacuation comes after reports that a special flight was being
arranged to fly diplomats and other foreigners from Pyongyang to the Russian
city of Vladivostok.
“Sad to say farewell this morning to colleagues from German Embassy and
French Office #NorthKorea which are closing temporarily,” tweeted Colin
Crooks, the British ambassador to Pyongyang, adding that his embassy would
remain open.
The Vladivostok airport website showed an Air Koryo flight JS 271 had
arrived from Pyongyang at 10:49 am local time (0049 GMT).
It was not immediately clear how many diplomats were on board, but previous
reports said around 60 people would be evacuated.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned last month of “serious consequences”
if the virus reaches his country, which has banned tourists and suspended
international trains and flights.
Pyongyang, subject to multiple international sanctions over its nuclear and
ballistic missile programmes, has a weak medical infrastructure and analysts
say prevention is its only option.
The number of coronavirus cases has risen worldwide to more than 100,000
across 100 nations and territories, with around 3,800 dead.