The Latest Breaking News from Pyongyang

Lies, Damn Lies, and North Korea’s COVID Statistics

Why has Pyongyang suddenly fessed up to an outbreak after years of insisting the virus has been held completely at bay?

The News Lens · May 20, 2022

Unvaccinated and unprepared, North Korea faces Covid catastrophe

Pyongyang’s gamble on extreme isolation has unravelled as Omicron sweeps the country

Financial Times · May 20, 2022

The Guardian view on low Covid vaccination rates: not just North Korea

Editorial: Pyongyang has left its people highly vulnerable to this outbreak. But rich countries have a responsibility for the lack of protection in other places

The Guardian - UK · May 19, 2022

N Korea reports fever surge as military ramps up COVID response

Pyongyang reports 295,510 cases of fever as the military mobilises ‘powerful force’ of medics to distribute drugs.

Al Jazeera · May 17, 2022

North Korea has an "explosive" COVID outbreak and 0% vaccination rate

"I shudder to think about a prolonged lockdown in North Korea."

Axios · May 17, 2022

Lacking vaccines, N.Korea battles COVID with antibiotics, home remedies

Standing tall in bright red hazmat suits, five North Korean health workers stride towards an ambulance to do battle with a COVID-19 outbreak that - in the presumed absence of vaccines - the country is using antibiotics and home remedies to treat.

Reuters · May 16, 2022

North Korea reports 8 deaths as Kim laments virus response

North Korea on Monday reported eight new deaths and 392,920 more people with fever symptoms amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak as leader Kim Jong Un blasted officials over delays in medicine deliveries and ordered his military to get involved in the pandemic response in the country’s capital, Pyongyang

The Independent UK · May 16, 2022

N Korea deploys army as WHO expressed ‘concern’ over COVID

Kim Jong Un blasts officials over COVID-19 response amid outbreak that has left 1.2 million ill with fever.

Al Jazeera · May 15, 2022

N.Korea's Kim orders military to stabilise supply of COVID drugs

Leader Kim Jong Un has ordered North Korea's military to stabilise distribution of COVID-19 medicine in the capital, Pyongyang, in the battle against the country's first confirmed outbreak of the disease, state media said.

Reuters · May 15, 2022

N Korea gets offers of aid, 'prefers US-made vaccines'

SEOUL: North Korea is facing its first confirmed Covid-19 outbreak with no known vaccine programme, sparking new calls for the government to accept aid that could save lives, help protect its battered economy and may lead to a diplomatic opening.

Bangkok Post · May 13, 2022