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North Korea Today No. 323 Special Edition January 2010

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["Good Friends" aims to help the North Korean people from a humanistic point of view and publishes "North Korea Today" describing the way the North Korean people live as accurately as possible. We at Good Friends also hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.]

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[Hot Topics No. 323]

H1N1 Flu Widespread in Pyongyang

Relief Medication from South Korea Insufficient for Pyongyang

Universities Start on January 9th Nationwide

Political Prisoner Detention Center Employee's Two Children Infected with H1N1 Flu

[Editorial]

Additional Aid Needed to Prevent Further Spread of H1N1 Flu in North Korea

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[Hot Topics No. 323]

H1N1 Flu Widespread in Pyongyang

A medical official in Pyongyang reported a continued spread of H1N1 flu in Pyongyang. Child day-care centers and kindergartens are closed, affecting married couples who both go to work. There are series of deaths of children in the child care facilities that have already been quarantined. Moreover, the severe winter weather brought flu epidemic as well. The medical official expressed his wish: "It is getting harder for us alone to fight the disease. I wish some external help come to save these innocent and poor people in a more proactive and massive scale."

Relief Medication from South Korea Insufficient for Pyongyang

H1N1 flu medication aid from South Korea is reported to be provided mainly in Pyongyang, and the priority was given to the endemic areas within the city of Pyongyang. One government official explained that the medication is not sufficient enough to reach the provinces. The medication delivered to the provinces was made available first to officials such as provincial party officials. So, it has not reached the average residents yet. In the provinces, provision of medicine seriously falls behind the rapid spread of H1N1 flu. Moreover, trading with China practically stopped after currency revaluation, aggravating the situation. Local hospitals in epidemic areas like Sinuiju, North Hamgyong Province are reported experiencing serious difficulties with obtaining even small amount of glucose and saline solution.