Humanitarian disaster is imminent in North Korea, Kim admits problems

A humanitarian disaster is imminent in North Korea because of the corona virus. Leader Kim Jong-un expressed his concerns in the state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the communist party.

With the current health status in the country, the North Korean leader says he feels “miserable and self-critical that he cannot provide appropriate medical services to his people.” He has announced the construction of a new hospital.

“The need is high,” said China correspondent Sjoerd den Daas, after Kim’s statement. “And that is not surprising because about 40 percent of the North Koreans are not getting enough food. They are extra vulnerable to the virus. Everyone is holding their heart for the North Korean people.”

It is noteworthy that the North Korea leader admits a weakness. He previously claimed that there were zero infections in his country.

“After weeks of ignoring the virus, at least to the outside world, things are now clearly changing,” says Den Daas.

According to Kim, the country was well prepared, but American satellite images show that there have been no military activities for a month. “We know that many people are quarantined. The few people who can still fly to Pyongyang have to be quarantined for at least 30 days,” says Den Daas.

At first Kim took measures that many other countries did not dare or wanted to take at the time. He was one of the first to seal the borders, with China in particular. The border with South Korea was already closed.

However, traders still enter the country on the Chinese side.

“It is very likely that infected people have crossed the border river and may have infected part of the population,” says Den Daas.

You might also like More from author

Comments are closed.