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
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.
Nearly 200 North Korea soldiers ‘die from coronavirus’
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.
State media KCNA on Saturday said North Korean authorities were “looking into whether there is still any space for infectious diseases to enter, in line with the complete blockade of borders, airspace and territorial waters” until the global virus pandemic was under control.
It added that the country’s borders would remain completely closed until Covid-19 infections were curbed globally.
North Korea had as of late February reportedly quarantined some 380 foreigners, including diplomats stationed in the capital Pyongyang.
