Freight train services resume between North Korea and China after a brief suspension due to pandemic

An outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese city of Dandong led to suspension of freight train services between China and North Korea. The services have resumed after a lapse of five months. A news agency of South Korea revealed this. The new agency says the frequency of these trains would be once or twice every day. Incidentally, China is the main economic lifeline of the North and accounts for a major share of its trade. However, cross-border commerce suffered due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. It seems according to Chinese customs data, trade between the two countries dropped nearly 90 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Aid workers and analysts cautioned that the isolation of North Korea has affected its already fragile economy leading to shortage of food and corresponding malnutrition. North Korea, China resume freight train services: reports. Alastair Morgan was the ambassador of the United Kingdom ambassador to North Korea between 2005 and 2008. He says the significance of resumption of freight train service would depend on whether this service indicated a fresh start of regular operations. He told a section of the media that this could be a one-off shipment of essential medical supplies or food.

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, had declared victory over coronavirus. That was after the authorities had reported about 4.8 million “fever cases.” This was consequent to an extensive outbreak in May. Kim had acknowledged that North Koreans were facing hardships because of the pandemic. He even likened it to the 1950-1953 Korean War. Incidentally, the hermit kingdom has reported just 74 COVID-19 deaths overall. Experts doubt the figures in view of the lack of vaccine coverage and its dilapidated healthcare system.

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