North Korean authorities say there are confirmed coronavirus cases: report

Officials have been telling citizens in public lecturers that there are Covid-19 cases in the country, according to a report citing sources in Pyongyang and Ryanggang provinces

Authorities have long insisted that the pandemic had not entered North Korea’s shores

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Pedestrians seen in face masks in Pyongyang on April 1, 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 9:17pm, 18 Apr 2020Updated: 9:17pm, 18 Apr 2020

North Korean authorities told citizens in public lectures that there were confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country as early as the end of March, in contrast to official Pyongyang claims that it has not had any confirmed cases, Radio Free Asia reported on late Friday.

The lecturers, speaking to organisations and neighbourhood watch groups, said there were Covid-19 cases within the country, without giving any numbers, RFA said, citing two sources, one in Pyongyang and one in Ryanggang province.

The lecturers said the confirmed cases were in Pyongyang, South Hwanghae province and North Hamgyong province, RFA reported.

North Hamgyong is in the northeast region of the country, while South Hwanghae is in the southwest.

Pyongyang had previously reinforced border checks and ordered foreigners from any country that has reported a case of Covid-19 to spend 30 days in quarantine, flying dozens of diplomats out of the country in early March.