North Korea insists it has no coronavirus cases, thanks to shutting borders, containment

Isolated North Korea said it is Covid-19 free after it quarantined all arrivals, closed borders, blocked sea and air lanes, and disinfected all goods

But a top US military commander said intelligence he had seen showed that Pyongyang’s assertion was untrue

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Pedestrians wear face masks in Pyongyang, as North Korea maintains that there are no coronavirus infections in the country yet. Photo: AP

Published: 10:18am, 3 Apr 2020Updated: 11:15pm, 3 Apr 2020

North Korea remains totally free of the coronavirus, a senior health official in Pyongyang has insisted, despite mounting scepticism overseas as known cases of infection topped 1 million worldwide.

The already isolated, nuclear-armed North quickly shut down its borders after the virus was first detected in neighbouring China, and imposed strict containment measures.

Pak Myong Su, director of the anti-epidemic department of the North’s Central Emergency Anti-epidemic Headquarters, insisted that the efforts had been completely successful.

North Korean official Pak Myong Su speaks during an interview at his office, saying the country has no coronavirus cases. Photo: AP

“We have carried out pre-emptive and scientific measures such as inspections and quarantine for all personnel entering our country and thoroughly disinfecting all goods, as well as closing borders and blocking sea and air lanes.”

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said on Friday only about 500 people remain under coronavirus quarantine and the country will continue to strengthen its anti-virus campaign. It initially placed 380 foreigners under what it described as medical isolation, but KCNA said last week that only two of them remained quarantined. The North last month arranged a special government flight to fly out dozens of diplomats to Vladivostok, Russia.