North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proclaimed a “resounding victory” over covid-19 on Wednesday, after nearly two weeks without any officially recorded cases.
“The victory achieved by our people is a historic fact that once again showed the world the greatness of our state, the indomitable tenacity of our people and the beautiful national customs that we are proud of,” the North Korean leader was quoted as saying. official KCNA news agency.
No new cases since July 29
North Korea, one of the first countries in the world to close its borders in January 2020 after the virus emerged in neighboring China, has long boasted about its ability to protect itself against the virus. Pyongyang announced its first coronavirus case on May 12, and Kim Jong Un took personal steps in fighting the outbreak.
Since July 29, Pyongyang has reported no new cases. North Korea has recorded nearly 4.8 million infections since the end of April, with just 74 deaths, an official case fatality rate of 0.002%, according to KCNA.
Kim Jong Un also seems to have contracted Covid-19, if we believe the statements of his influential sister Kim Yo Jong.
The leader “suffered from high fevers during the days of this quarantine war, but he couldn’t lie down for a moment because he was thinking about the people in his charge,” he said.
Threat of retaliation against Seoul
Kim Yo Jong then attacked Seoul, which he holds responsible for the Covid-19 epidemic in North Korea, and threatened “retaliation”.
For her, it is the sending of propaganda flyers by balloons from South Korea that would have constituted a gateway to Covid-19. Kim Yo Jong said that many countries and the WHO have recognized “the danger of spreading an infectious disease by coming into contact with contaminated objects.”
“It is very worrying that South Korea sends flyers, money, brochures and dirty objects to our region,” he added.
Kim Yo Jong warned that Pyongyang was considering “strong retaliation” and added that if the balloons continue, “we will respond by eradicating, not only the virus, but also the South Korean authorities.”
Despite the ban imposed in 2021, South Korean activists continue to send balloons containing leaflets and dollar bills, sparking protests in Pyongyang.
Source: BFM TV
