Coronavirus: Kim-Jong-un orders national lockdown after North Korea reports first Covid-19 case
- Until Thursday, Kim Jong-un’s regime denied it had any Covid cases, a claim doubted by experts globally. It has also refused vaccines from the outside world
- A widespread Covid-19 outbreak in North Korea could potentially be devastating given the country has an antiquated healthcare system and likely no vaccines
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered all cities to be put under lockdown after the state for the first time on Thursday said it has Covid-19 in its borders.
The Korean Central News Agency said tests from an unspecified number of people in the capital Pyongyang confirmed they were infected with the Omicron variant.
“A serious situation has been created due to the introduction of a stealth Omicron mutant virus into our precincts,” KCNA said. At a party meeting on Thursday attended by Kim, authorities elevated the country’s national quarantine measures to “maximum emergency,” it added.
Kim ordered “all cities and counties across the country to thoroughly lockdown their areas,” so as to “completely block the transmission of [a] malicious virus,” according to KCNA.
China said on Thursday it was ready to “fully support” North Korea in its pandemic prevention efforts.
“We sympathise with the current [coronavirus] outbreak situation in North Korea,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular presser.
“As comrades, neighbours and friends, China is ready to provide full support and assistance to North Korea in its fight against the epidemic,” Zhao said, without offering details on whether Beijing will send vaccines, medical equipment or aid.
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