N. Korea's low death count questioned amid COVID-19 outbreak An employee of a Songyo Knitwear factory in the Songyo District of Pyongyang disinfects the work floor, May 18, after the North Korean leader Kim Jong -un said Tuesday his party would treat the country's coronavirus outbreak as a state emergency. North Korea said Friday that nearly 10 percent of its 26 million people have fallen ill and 65 people have died amid its first COVID-19 outbreak, as outside experts question the validity of its reported fatalities and worry about a possible humanitarian crisis.After admitting the Omicron outbreak last week following more than two years of claiming to be coronavirus-free, North Korea has said an “unidentified fever” has been explosively spreading across the country since late April. Its anti-epidemic center has since released fever tallies each morning via state media, but they don't include any COVID-19 figures.Some observers say North Korea was likely forced to acknowledge the COVID-19 outbreak because it couldn't hide theMay 20, 2022
North Korea to hold state funeral for military official known for ties with Kim Jong-un Hyon Chol-hae, marshal of the Korean People's Army and general adviser to the Ministry of National Defense / Yonhap A top North Korean military official, who was a close aide to the late leader Kim Jong-il and known to have helped groom the current leader Kim Jong-un, has died, Pyongyang's state media reported Friday.Hyon Chol-hae, marshal of the Korean People's Army and general adviser to the Ministry of National Defense, died of multiple organ failure at 9 a.m. Thursday at the age of 87, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.The North has organized a state funeral committee chaired by Kim and joined by a number of other senior officials, with the bier of the deceased laid at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang."Devoting himself to his important duties in supreme leadership organs of the DPRK armed forces during the period of important historic turn in the succession to the revolutionary cause of Juche, he ensured that the monolithic command sysMay 20, 2022
North Korea's total suspected COVID-19 cases surpass 2 million Staff disinfect the premises of a medical oxygen factory to curb the COVID-19 health crisis in Pyongyang in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), May 19. North Korea has increased production of drugs and medical supplies amid a nationwide lockdown and mobilization of troops to tackle the pandemic since the country first disclosed the COVID-19 outbreak last week. EPA-YonhapNorth Korea reported over 260,000 new suspected COVID-19 cases Friday, with the total number surpassing 2 million, eight days after it first confirmed the coronavirus outbreak.More than 263,370 people showed “symptoms of fever” and two deaths were reported over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, raising the total number of fatalities to 65, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters.The total number of “fever cases” since late April in the country, with a population of around 25 million, stood at more than 2.24 million as of 6 p.m. Thursday, of which more thaMay 20, 2022
North Korea wary of COVID-19-driven social unrest Employees of Songyo Knitwear Factory wearing face masks work to produce knitted goods in Songyo District in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. AP-YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jinThe North Korean regime has called for its people to stay united against the COVID-19 pandemic, assuring them that the virus situation can be maintained at a manageable level, in what appears to be a move to relieve public fear and anxiety stoked by the unprecedented health crisis.State-run media outlets have reported that the government is making all-out efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, while praising North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's leadership in the battle against the virus. Pyongyang added 262,270 new patients with “fever” on Wednesday, with one added death, increasing the total number of fatalities to 63, according to North Korea's emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. The aggregate number of suspected cases of the coronavirus now stands at 1,978,230. Among them, about 1,238,000 people have recovered, with 740,160 undergoing treatment. North Korea has a total population of 26 million.AfMay 19, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
North Korea ready for nuclear test, missile launch: intelligence agency People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at a train station in Seoul, South Korea on May 16. AP-YonhapNIS says North Korea's COVID cases inflated as those infected with waterborne diseases are also included as 'fever' patients By Kang Hyun-kyungNorth Korea is near completion of another nuclear test or the test-firing of more missiles, or both, despite the national lockdown due to the rapid spread of “stealth Omicron,” according to the National Intelligence Service (NIS). During a closed-door meeting with the members of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on Thursday, NIS officials were quoted as saying that North Korea's preparations for the next round of provocations are ready.Therefore, Rep. Kim Byung-kee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said the North's next test is simply a matter of time. “We're told that they're in their last stage in the test-firings of the missiles and a nuclear test, so, all I can say is that it would not come as a surprise even if more missileMay 19, 2022By Kang Hyun-kyung
North Korea gauges timing for nuclear test after completing preparations: NIS National Assembly Intelligence Committee Chairman Kim Kyung-hyup, center, speaks with Rep. Kim Byung-kee, left, of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea during a meeting at the Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. YonahpNorth Korea is gauging the timing of when to conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test after completing preparations, South Korea's spy agency said Thursday.The National Intelligence Service also said in a closed-door briefing to lawmakers that there were signs North Korea could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) even though it is grappling with a COVID-19 outbreak.The assessment came amid concerns that North Korea could carry out a major provocation during U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Seoul this week for a summit with President Yoon Suk-yeol."It would not be abnormal for North Korea to launch a missile or conduct a nuclear test at one point, as signs (of such provocations) are detected and Pyongyang has almost completed its preparations," Rep. Kim Byung-kee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea told reporters.Kim Tae-hyo, the fMay 19, 2022
South Korean aid groups to seek COVID-19 assistance for North Korea People watch a TV screen at a train station in Seoul showing a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a news program, May 14. A group of South Korean civic groups campaigning for aid for North Korea announced plans Thursday to provide Pyongyang with medical assistance worth 12 billion won ($10 million). YonhapA group of South Korean civic groups campaigning for aid for North Korea announced plans Thursday to provide Pyongyang with medical assistance worth 12 billion won ($10 million) in a bid to help it cope with a COVID-19 outbreak.The move comes amid no response from the reclusive North to the South Korean government's offer for consultations on cooperation in its fight against the coronavirus crisis.During a joint press conference in Seoul, three organizations ― the Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea (KNCCK), the Korea Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, and the Civil Peace Forum ― made public the project to send such items as COVID-19 test kits, masks, protective suits, antibiotics and antipyretic drugs.They welcomed President Yoon Suk-yeol'sMay 19, 2022
North Korea stays mum on South Korea's offer for COVID-19 talks, assistance: official Members of the North Korean army supply medicines to residents at a pharmacy, amid growing fears over the spread of COVID-19 in Pyongyang, in this photo released by Kyodo, May 18. North Korea has remained unresponsive to South Korea's proposal for a formal offer of consultations on providing COVID-19 medical assistance for the fourth consecutive day. Reuters-YonhapNorth Korea has remained unresponsive to South Korea's proposal for a formal offer of consultations on providing COVID-19 medical assistance for the fourth consecutive day, according to a ministry official here, Thursday.The Ministry of Unification had sought to deliver a related fax message to the North through its liaison office Monday, to hold working-level talks and offer assistance to the impoverished neighbor struggling with the recent outbreak.But the North has not expressed its intention to accept the message during a routine phone call at 9 a.m. Thursday, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, North Korea, with a population of around 25 million, had reported more than May 19, 2022
North Korea yet to fully develop hypersonic missile, but its tests raise concerns: US official North Korea launches what it claims was a hypersonic missile, Jan. 5, in this photo provided by the North Korean government. North Korea actually launched an intermediate-range ballistic (IRBM) missile into the East Sea, South Korea's military said, raising fears that Pyongyang was inching toward its threatened suspension of a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear weapons and long-range missile tests. AP-Yonhap North Korea does not appear to have developed a hypersonic missile, but its tests to develop such a system warrant U.S. concern, the head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said Wednesday.Pyongyang claims it successfully tested a new hypersonic missile, Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 (KST)."They claim to have developed hypersonics," Vice Adm. John Hill said when asked if the North was developing hypersonic missiles in a hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces."But in terms of what we have seen, in terms of data, I'm not entirely confident that they have tMay 19, 2022
North Korea reports 1 additional death from COVID-19 outbreakNorth Korea reported one additional death and over 260,000 new suspected COVID-19 cases for Wednesday, raising its total number of “fever cases” to nearly 2 million amid its battle with the coronavirus outbreak.According to information from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters, more than 262,270 people showed symptoms of fever and one death was reported over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. Wednesday, increasing the total number of fatalities to 63, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.The total number of infections since late April in the country with a population of around 25 million, stood at over 1.97 million, of which more than 1.23 million have recovered and at least 740,160 are being treated, it added.Last Thursday, the North reported its first COVID-19 case after claiming to be coronavirus-free for over two years and declared the implementation of a "maximum emergency" virus control system.The country has made all-out efforts to fight the virus, such as mobilizing its military to supply medicine to pharmacies in Pyongyang earlier this week.DuriMay 19, 2022
