SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean infants have reportedly missed out on essential vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the ongoing challenges within the country's healthcare system. Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho highlighted this concern during a lecture at Yonsei University in Seoul, where he spoke about the health crisis facing North Korean children.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the lack of proper vaccination for North Korean infants is expected to have significant future impacts, particularly evident three to five years from now. The minister addressed this issue in the context of the South Korean government's efforts to raise awareness about the situation in North Korea. During a separate engagement with religious leaders, Kim emphasized the dire need for humanitarian aid focused on the health of North Korea's youngest citizens, noting that North Korean children missed vaccinations for diseases such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis in 2022, based on UNICEF reports.
Additionally, Kim mentioned that North Korean officials are starting to engage with global healthcare organizations as the country partially reopens its borders after a prolonged COVID-19 lockdown.
ANSAN, South Korea – Cho Doo-soon, known as South Korea's most infamous child rapist, was sentenced to three months in prison for violating a court-imposed nighttime curfew. The sentence was handed down after he was found wandering outside his residence late at night.According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho, who had previously served 12 years for the kidnapping and rape of an 8-year-old girl in 2008, breached the conditions of his release by leaving his Ansan home during hours he is legally required to remain indoors. The curfew, which prohibits him from being outside after 9 p.m., was instated as part of his post-prison release conditions, which include wearing an electronic tracking device.
The court remarked that the curfew is designed to protect the public from offenders and stressed that even a single infraction should be treated with utmost seriousness, citing the significant impact of Cho's actions on local law enforcement and community safety. Following the decision, Cho was taken into custody immediately.
During last week's court hearing, Cho argued that he left his home following a dispute with his wife. He appealed to the court for mercy, stating that he could not afford to pay fines due to his reliance on basic government subsidies.