North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday denounced health authorities for their handling of the Covid-19 epidemic. The military must now manage the distribution of medicines in Pyongyang’s capital, which is going into lockdown for the first time.
For two years, North Korea denied that the coronavirus existed in the country. Last Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appeared on television for the first time wearing a mask, acknowledging that an “explosive” corona outbreak was underway and strongly criticizing the health sector for its “irresponsible attitude.” more because the pharmacies were not open 24 hours a day.
Kim Jong-un has therefore deployed the army. As a result, the military must now manage the distribution of medicines in Pyongyang’s capital, which is going into lockdown for the first time.
According to figures released by the government, 1,213,550 infections have already been registered since the first cases came to light late last month. The government is not talking about corona infections but ‘mysterious fever’. Fifty people have also died, according to the same figures.
North Korea has one of the weakest health systems in the world. It is feared that the major outbreak will have disastrous consequences. Last year, North Korean health care ranked 193rd out of 195 countries in a renowned Johns Hopkins University survey. North Korea also does not have any treatment for Covid-19, nor does it have the capacity to test the population on a large scale. The population is also not vaccinated.
South Korea has already offered help and says it is ready to provide vaccines and other medical aid. However, North Korea has not yet responded.