Will Kim Jong-un look to China to battle North Korea’s ‘explosive’ Covid-19 spread?

Even as the nation of 26 million unvaccinated people faces a collapse of its healthcare system, Kim has rebuffed offers of help from South Korea and the UN

But amid reports it has picked up Chinese medical aid, analysts warn Kim may view the crisis as a chance to ‘retain authority and power’ or circumvent sanctions and boost his nuclear programme

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Kim Jong-un wears a face mask as he announces the country’s first acknowledged Covid-19 cases on May 12, 2022. Photo: KRT via AP

Published: 10:43am, 18 May 2022Updated: 2:05pm, 18 May 2022

Two years after the pandemic swept the world, reclusive North Korea has finally acknowledged it is dealing with an outbreak, with more than half a million people being quarantined due to a rapidly spreading fever.

North Korea has reported more than 1.48 million “fever cases” and over 50 virus-linked deaths since late April, according to state media.

If Covid-19 cannot be controlled in the impoverished country, it could spell further doom for its 26 million people, who are largely unvaccinated and malnourished.

Analysts also say without accurate information coming out of North Korea, it is difficult to ascertain the level of aid it needs to deal with a full-blown crisis.

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Kim Jong-un warns Covid posing ‘great turmoil’ on North Korea as deadly outbreak quickly spreads

What has Kim Jong-un said about the virus?

Covid-19 spread rapidly around the world after it emerged at the end of 2019, leading to lockdowns, deaths and overwhelmed hospitals from China to Italy and the United States. North Korea, however, had always claimed a perfect record in keeping out the virus.