North Korea had been one of the few countries without reported cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in 2020, largely due to its isolated nature. However, the country has now confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a public announcement about the outbreak, wearing a face mask. The Korean Central News Agency reported that samples collected from citizens in Pyongyang with fevers tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
North Korea’s healthcare system is known to be inadequate, and the majority of the population is likely not vaccinated against the virus due to the country’s isolationist policies. There is speculation that North Korea may need outside help, possibly from China, to address the situation.
North Korea reported its first outbreak of COVID, more than two years after first cases emerged in neighboring China. The state media reported an Omicron variant was detected in Pyongyang https://t.co/RgRqHsmxlX pic.twitter.com/Z3c4dA0tRI
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 12, 2022
Experts believe that the severity of the situation prompted North Korea to acknowledge the outbreak publicly. While this may not lead to a shift in foreign policy, domestic focus on the COVID-19 threat could impact other aspects of North Korea’s activities.
Despite the potential need for assistance, North Korea may face challenges in seeking aid from China, which is dealing with its own significant COVID outbreak.
