North Korean Children's Health and the Role of Maternal and Child Health Experts

Choi, Seong-Woo

doi:2022.26.3.140

J Korean Soc Matern Child Health > Volume 26(3); 2022 > Article

Review Article

Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health 2022;26(3):140-145.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2022.26.3.140 Published online July 31, 2022.

North Korean Children's Health and the Role of Maternal and Child Health Experts

Seong-Woo Choi

Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea

북한 어린이 건강과 모자보건 전문가들의 역할

최성우

조선대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실

Correspondence: Seong-Woo Choi, Tel: +82-62-230-6344, Fax: +82-62-225-8293,
Email: jcsw74@hanmail.net

Received: 23 June 2022 • Revised: 14 July 2022 • Accepted: 25 July 2022

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the health indicators and nutritional status of North Korean children have improved steadily since 2010. However, malnutrition remains a serious condition, with 19.1% of children stunted. in addition, although the nutritional status of North Korean refugee children has gradually improved since they settled in South Korea, a rapid increase in obesity rates has put them under a double burden of malnutrition and obesity. For the health of North Korean children who are at risk because of the recent rapid increase in coronavirus disease 2019 cases in North Korea, maternal and child health experts should work together to request immediate humanitarian assistance from the international community and the South Korean government. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop a maternal and child health program in preparation for the resumption of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation in the future.

Key Words: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Refugees, Child, Nutritional status