Russian diplomats and their families depart North Korea using a hand-pushed rail trolley due to pandemic restrictions

Eight Russian diplomats and their families spent over 34 hours trying to leave North Korea this week, with their arduous journey culminating in at least one diplomat pushing a trolley carrying luggage and children into Russian territory.

North Korea’s borders have remained largely closed for months as part of Kim Jong Un’s efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19, leaving the few foreign diplomats in Pyongyang stranded. While Air Koryo, North Korea’s state airline, runs flights from Vladivostok, Russia, those flights have been suspended for months.

According to the Russian Embassy’s official Facebook page, this arduous journey was the only viable option for diplomats and their families to exit North Korea.

The journey began with a 32-hour train ride on North Korea’s outdated, slow, and poorly maintained rail system. Afterward, they took a two-hour bus ride to the border, where the families had to arrange for a rail trolley to carry their luggage the final stretch.

A trolley, also known as a handcart, is a type of rail car that gained popularity in the 1800s. It is powered either by passengers operating a pump-action lever or by people manually pushing it from behind.

The Embassy shared two images of third secretary Vladislav Sorokin pushing a handcart with his family and their luggage along the rail tracks, all bundled up in heavy winter clothes. Sorokin’s youngest was his 3-year-old daughter, Varya.

Sorokin had to push the handcart for one kilometer (0.6 miles), which included crossing a bridge over the Tumen River, the natural border between Russia and North Korea.

Upon reaching the Russian station at Khasan, the family was greeted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs colleagues who assisted them in getting to the airport in Vladivostok.

Further isolation

The departure of Sorokin’s family and other Russian diplomats marks a further reduction in Pyongyang’s already dwindling expatriate community, which has been a vital source of insight into one of the world’s most secretive and isolated nations.

Diplomats, aid workers, and NGO personnel have opted to leave North Korea to avoid the risk of being trapped due to the country’s strict and unyielding border restrictions. Those who have chosen to stay report worsening conditions in Pyongyang, with food shortages in stores and widespread job losses, according to Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora.

In 2020, North Korea severed nearly all of its international connections to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Experts speculate that Kim Jong Un made this decision due to concerns that his country’s crumbling healthcare system could not handle an outbreak.

Matsegora stated that imports into North Korea have virtually halted since severe typhoons struck the Korean Peninsula in September. He quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitting that the country’s medical infrastructure is outdated and inadequate to cope with modern challenges. This was shared in an interview with Russian news agency Interfax.

From a public health perspective, Kim’s strategy seems to have been successful. North Korea has reported no significant Covid-19 outbreaks, and there are no signs of one occurring, though experts remain skeptical of Pyongyang’s claim that it has been entirely free of the virus.

Food shortages

North Korea’s decision to nearly cut all trade with Beijing, a crucial lifeline for the impoverished nation’s survival, has pushed its economy perilously close to collapse, further exacerbating the hunger crisis.

“Life in Pyongyang has been difficult,” Matsegora shared. “During months of self-imposed isolation, the shelves have been nearly emptied. Basic goods like pasta, flour, vegetable oil, and sugar are hard to find, and there are no quality clothes or shoes. If you do find something, it’s often priced three to four times higher than before the crisis.”

Matsegora’s remarks were unexpected, especially considering North Korea’s close ties with Russia, second only to its relationship with China. While Kim and other North Korean leaders have acknowledged the economic struggles caused by the virus, they have not publicly recognized the strain on the country’s food supply.

According to the World Food Program (WFP), approximately 10.3 million people in North Korea—over 40% of the population—are undernourished. The WFP also reported that its operations in North Korea were “sporadic” last year due to border closures, and warned that its efforts this year might face similar setbacks.

WFP spokesperson Kun Li explained that while the organization’s operations have faced challenges, it has not halted its efforts in North Korea, which have been impacted by the broader difficulties many sectors have encountered during the pandemic.

“Our work has continued without interruption,” Li stated. “Despite the obstacles in delivering food aid and importing supplies due to Covid-19 containment measures, we were able to deliver limited food aid in 2020, reaching over 500,000 people, including vulnerable women and children, with food and nutritional support. Our operations are ongoing, managed by both our national team in Pyongyang and international staff working remotely from other locations.”