북한 보건의료 체계의 한계와 남북 협력방안

The Limitations of North Korea's health care system and inter-Korean cooperation

The global COVID-19 pandemic took millions of lives away. Fortunately, the spread of the virus seems to be diminished; it is obvious that international society will be reorganized by the ideas of “health security” and “human security”. However, in the case of North Korea, it does not reveal objective and reliable medical data, so international society has difficulties figuring out its current status. North Korea had insisted that taking care of people’s health by the principle of medical service is the state’s responsibility. However, the official system collapsed during the economic crisis in the 1990s, and the North Korean people’s health index also plummeted. Besides, two Korea’s medical service capability is getting dichotomized, so an alternative is needed. The Kim Jong-un regime set the principle of “politics of affection” and emphasized “people first policy.” The hygiene and medical policy, which is closely linked to people’s life and health, is the core element of the “people first policy.” Therefore, it is the field (humanitarian aid) that North Korea most likely accepts under the current sanction status. Moreover, this project can be a breakthrough that can overcome the current stalemate. Therefore, it is essential to prepare realistic and systematic cooperative projects which can bring a positive response from North Korea. The health and medical cooperation may contribute to establishing a new inter-Korean cooperation paradigm which is practical and realistic.