North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the military to stabilise delivery of COVID-19 medicine in Pyongyang, state media reported, in the fight against the country’s first known breakout of the disease.
Last Monday, the North acknowledged a “explosive” outbreak for the first time, with experts warning that it may devastate a country with scant medical supplies and no immunisation programme.
Kim told an emergency politburo meeting on Sunday, before visiting pharmacies along the capital’s Taedong River, that drugs acquired by the state were not reaching people swiftly or precisely.
Kim also ordered the army’s medical corps to deploy “strong forces” immediately to “stabilise the supply of medications in Pyongyang City,” according to the report.
Despite the fact that authorities had authorised the distribution of national pharmaceutical stockpiles, pharmacies were not well-equipped to carry out their duties, according to the agency.
According to Kim, they had a lack of adequate medicine storage, salespeople who were not dressed properly, and hygiene in their surroundings that fell short of norms.
He chastised the cabinet and the public health sector for their “irresponsible” work style, organisation, and execution, according to the report.
Seoul’s unification ministry, which is in charge of cross-border ties, said it suggested working-level talks to deliver medical supplies like as vaccines, masks, and test kits, as well as technological cooperation, but the North had not responded.
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The offer came after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would go to any length to assist the North in combating the outbreak, promising to give COVID-19 vaccinations and other medical assistance.
Yoon said he would provide humanitarian relief regardless of politics, but expressed alarm about North Korea’s latest missile launches and hints of preparations for its first nuclear test since 2017.
In a speech to parliament, he said, “If North Korea responds, I will not save any necessary support for medicines, including COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment, or health personnel.”
By Sunday, North Korea’s fever toll had risen to 1,213,550, with 50 deaths, as KCNA reported 392,920 new instances of fever and eight more deaths. It did not specify how many infections have tested positive for COVID-19.
Because of a dearth of information about the Omicron strain of coronavirus and how to treat it, the North has attributed a large number of deaths on those who were “careless in taking medications.”
