The corona virus has long been taboo in North Korea. But Pyongyang can no longer hide a strong wave in May. Three months later, however, ruler Kim declared victory over the “fever” infection, as he calls the virus. Now the North Koreans should be vaccinated. The question is with what.
For the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic, North Korea’s leadership has officially announced a vaccination campaign. According to the state news agency KCNA, the campaign is expected to begin next month. Ruler Kim Jong Un also announced a general recommendation to wear masks for November, as reported by KCNA. Where the vaccines come from remained open.
According to the words of ruler Kim, health experts assume that the antibodies formed by the North Koreans during a corona wave in May will decrease by October. About four months ago, the internationally isolated country confirmed an outbreak of the omicron variant in the capital, Pyongyang. According to his sister, Kim was also ill. Last month he then declared victory over the virus.
Experts assume that most of North Korea’s 26 million inhabitants have not yet been vaccinated against the virus. Last year, North Korea rejected vaccine offers from the World Health Organization (WHO). However, according to information from the South Korean news site NK News, Pyongyang may have received some vaccine doses from its main ally China.
North Korea’s authorities speak of “fever patients” instead of cases of corona infection – possibly because they have hardly any testing facilities. According to the state media, a total of 4.8 million “fever” infections and only 74 deaths have been reported so far, which would correspond to an extremely low mortality rate.
The WHO and other experts have long expressed their doubts about North Korea’s corona statistics. They also question the country’s assurances of having the omicron outbreak under control. According to experts, North Korea has one of the worst health systems in the world.
