(ANSA) – Seoul, Aug. 11 – Today, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a “resounding victory” over COVID-19, after nearly two weeks without any official case being recorded in the country.
The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim, who chaired a meeting with health professionals and scientists, hailed the “victory in the war against the virulent epidemic disease.” “The victory achieved by our people is a historic event that once again demonstrated to the world the greatness of our country, our indomitable perseverance and the beautiful national customs of which we are proud,” the North Korean leader added.
Kim’s influential sister accused South Korea of causing the Covid-19 epidemic in her country and threatened “retaliation”. Kim Yo Jong criticized the ballooning of propaganda leaflets from the South, calling it a “crime against humanity”, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim’s sister said many countries and the World Health Organization have realized “the risk of spreading an infectious disease through contact with contaminated objects: it is very worrying that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, brochures and dirty materials to our region.” he added. Kim Yo Jong warned that Pyongyang is considering “strong retaliation,” adding that if the balloons persist, “we will respond by eliminating not only the virus, but also the South Korean authorities.”
North Korea, one of the first countries in the world to close its borders in January 2020 after the outbreak of the virus in neighboring China, has long prided itself on its ability to defend itself against the virus. Pyongyang announced its first case of coronavirus on May 12, and Kim Jong Un has taken personal measures in fighting the epidemic. Since July 29, Pyongyang has not reported any new cases. North Korea has recorded nearly 4.8 million infections since the end of April, of which only 74 deaths and an official fatality rate of 0.002%, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Experts say the country’s hospitals are poorly equipped, with few intensive care units and no treatment or vaccine for the coronavirus. (Dealing).
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