South Korea To Provide $1M to WHO for Malaria Efforts in North Korea
South Korean officials last week announced that the country will provide $1.09 million to the World Health Organization for malaria control efforts in North Korea, Yonhap News reports. According to Yonhap News, South Korea has provided funding for malaria initiatives to North Korea since 2001.
South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek said, "This project is good not only for the North Korean people but for our citizens as well." South Korean officials added that increased malaria control efforts in North Korea have helped curb malaria cases among South Koreans who visit North Korea or who live along the border between the two countries. According to the South Korean Ministry of Unification, North Korea reported 200,000 malaria cases to WHO in 2000, compared with 23,400 cases last year (Yonhap News, 4/4).
