Michelle Bachelet, UN high commissioner for human rights, said Tuesday that North Korea needs UN sanctions relief because its health care system lacks the resources to counter the coronavirus.

“Obstacles to the import of vital medical supplies, including over-compliance with sanctions by banks, will create long-lasting harm to vulnerable communities,” she said. She was implying UN sanctions could hamper Pyongyang’s coronavirus response.

Bachelet said the North Korean public is not responsible for the sanctions, so the restrictions should either be eased or suspended to protect their lives and rights, as well as for global public health.

Also on Tuesday, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said it could divert some of its funds to help North Korea contain COVID-19. The group told Radio Free Asia that patients suffering from AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria were more vulnerable to the virus because of their weaker immune systems.

Meanwhile, global Christian charity Open Doors called on the international community to take action to help North Koreans who were running out of food, medical supplies and other relief goods.

“There is a pressing shortage of doctors and medical supplies in North Korea. People who get sick rely on unsafe medicines sold on the black market,” the charity said, quoting one of its own missionaries there.

“We were unable to reap much last year because of drought and bad weather, and there were the sanctions. We don’t have enough food, but the military takes what little we have,” one North Korean resident told the charity.

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)