page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea
section_title: March 2020
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea / Timeline / March 2020
caption_attribution_description: 한국어: 2008년 6월 동안의 북한관광여행 사진 English: Trip to North Korea in June, 2008
context_page_description: There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Korea, though some foreign analysts believe that the virus spread to the country by March 2020. Both its neighbors, China and South Korea, had significant outbreaks. Starting in January, the North Korean government took extensive measures, including quarantines and travel restrictions, to block the spread of the pandemic. In April, the US analyst website 38 North said this appeared to be successful in containing the virus.
context_section_description: North Korean citizens returning from other countries were subjected to a 40-day isolation period to which was added a 30-day "medical observation" period. According to North Korean media, nearly 7,000 North Koreans were subjected to these rules on 1 March.
  On 14 March, North Korea state media reported there were still no confirmed cases in its territory. 
  Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of new hospitals in the country on 18 March. North Korean state media also reported that groundbreaking on a new hospital was underway the day prior on Tuesday 17 March. Kim told a newspaper linked to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea that the construction of new hospitals were being done for general improvement of the nation's healthcare system without mentioning COVID-19.
  On 20 March, North Korean media reported that apart from three foreigners, more than 2,590 people had been released from quarantine in North Pyongan and South Pyongan provinces.
  Outside organizations provided aid to fight the virus: the Russian government provided test kits, the WHO announced plans to send supplies despite the lack of confirmed cases, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, U.S. State Department, and South Korean government all indicated willingness to help. The U.S. government worked with the United Nations to make exceptions to sanctions, though they were also criticized for slowing down the process for providing aid. Doctors Without Borders said in late March that supplies of diagnostic equipment and personal protective equipment were stranded on the Chinese border.
  On 26 March, the New York Times reported satellite imagery shared by the Royal United Services Institute, which showed that the illicit trafficking of coal and other goods stopped, with the commercial vessels idling in their home ports. After shutting its border, North Korea's official exports to China were worth $610,000 in March 2020, down 96% from the previous year.
  According to the North Korean government, 10,000 people had been quarantined by the end of March. From 12 February, the 14-day quarantine on all foreigners (including their local staff) was extended to 30 days. Diplomats and other foreigners were evacuated to Vladivostok in March. By 27 March, according to North Korean media, there were only two foreigners in quarantine and 2,280 North Koreans were under "medical observation" in areas such as South Phyongan province and North Phyongan province, Ryanggang province, and the city of Rason.
  The North Korean military fired five missiles on two occasions in early March 2020, which may be "an effort to ensure the country remains on the agenda for other nations amid the virus outbreak". More missile tests followed in late March, along with an announcement that the Supreme People's Assembly would meet in early April. Foreign observers said the government was trying to show confidence in their handling of the virus. The South Korean military called the provocation "extremely inappropriate" in light of the pandemic.
  In February and March, U.S. officials observed a decrease in military activity in North Korea, which they believed to be a sign that there are COVID-19 cases in the country. General Robert B. Abrams observed that the North Korean military had "been on lockdown for about 30 days" and "didn’t fly an airplane for 24 days".
  In mid March, Kim Jong-un sent a letter to South Korean president Moon Jae-in as a show of support amidst the outbreak in South Korea. US President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Kim Jong-un to express his willingness to work with him on dealing with COVID-19. North Korean state media has reported on the severity of the outbreak in other countries.
  On 31 March, the Asia Times reported that North Korea's measures against the pandemic seemed largely successful.
caption: Hospital staff in Pyongyang
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