Coronavirus: Kim Jong-un warns of ‘serious consequences’ if virus breaks out in North Korea

Leader oversees military drills on Friday in rare public outing amid efforts to prevent outbreak

North Korea has not confirmed any cases, but month-long quarantine and other ‘high-intensity’ measures in place

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a Korean People's Army drill in North Korea on Friday. Photo: KCNA via Reuters

Published: 6:52am, 29 Feb 2020Updated: 7:37am, 29 Feb 2020

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said on Saturday, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the virus, but state media said a month-long quarantine period had been imposed for people showing symptoms and “high-intensity” measures have been taken, including reinforcing checks in border regions and at airports and seaports.

On February 16, Kim made his first public appearance in 22 days to visit a mausoleum marking the anniversary of the birth of his father and late leader Kim Jong-il.

The military drill was to “judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units and ended to a “great satisfaction” of Kim, KCNA said.

“Soldiers, who have firmly armed themselves with a-match-for-a-hundred idea of the Party and trained under the simulated conditions of actual battles, reduced a target islet to a sea of flames,” KCNA said.

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