Malaria in North Korea is reducing available blood donations in the South. Northern Korea has been designated a limited malaria risk area by the World Health Organization, except Mt.Baekdu on the Chinese border, and the malaria risk zone is growing into North Gyeonggi Province near the DMZ.
Residents and soldiers serving in malaria risk areas are disqualified as blood donors since infection cannot be ruled out. This explains a recent sharp reduction in blood donations from soldiers. The South Korean Red Cross says 182,350 soldiers will be disqualified as blood donors since the malaria risk area has expanded.
Residents and soldiers in risk areas are banned from donating blood for three years after they move elsewhere.