North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’ if COVID-19 Reaches The Country


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Previously, there were reports about North Korea’s first confirmed COVID-19 patient, a North Korean trade official, being shot dead after he left the coronavirus quarantine to visit a public bath.

According to South Korean media, the patient who had returned to North Korea after visiting China was killed because he risked the spread of COVID-19.

However, North Korea’s official statement is that they have no confirmed COVID-19 cases in their country at all.

Well, I mean, if you kill your only patient, then I guess that statement is technically the truth, right?

Image: Giphy

“Serious Consequences”

Nevertheless, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned of “serious consequences” if COVID-19 were to reach their country.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim held a meeting with the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and told them that the battle against COVID-19 was a “crucial state affair for the defence of the people”. Maximum discipline must be displayed at all times as a result.

He added, “In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences.”

As to what serious consequences mean, it wasn’t stated.

The report also included a part where party vice-chairmen Ri Man Gon and Pak Thae Dok were sacked and a party unit was disbanded after they were found to be corrupted. It is alleged that they may have been involved in a graft related to anti-epidemic measures.

Kim said, “No special cases must be allowed.” He also instructed officials to “seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way.”

In other words, the virus must not crash land on the hermit country.

Measures Taken

Diplomats are saying that North Korea’s anti-COVID-19 measures are “unprecedented”. Some of these measures include North Korea closing its borders to curb the spread of COVID-19 into its country.

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It has banned tourists (yes, before that, you can visit North Korea though you’ll be monitored 24/7), suspended international trains and flights, and placed hundred over foreigners in quarantine. According to reports, the new school term has also been postponed.

North Korea also has hygiene messages announced over the loudspeakers, and all ambassadors have been locked in their compounds. State media is also demanding “absolute obedience” from all its people.

With a weak and ill-equipped healthcare system (you should know after watching Crash Landing on You, right?), Christoph Heusgen, Germany’s ambassador to the United Nations, has said that the Security Council is willing to adopt humanitarian exemptions to the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its weapon programmes. This means that they will allow the export of equipment to help North Korea fight the coronavirus.

However, Heusgen said, “The problem is that right now the North Koreans closed the borders.” This has rendered them unable to provide the necessary help, as such, the Security Council has called on North Korea “to allow this equipment in so the population can be protected.”


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