Staying in Asia, Kim Jong-Un has declared a shining victory over Covid 19 as his sister, Kim Yo-Jong, revealed that the North Korean leader had suffered from fever during the pandemic. This appears to be the first suggestion that Kim Jong-Un has contracted Covid 19.

Kim Jong-Un suffered from fever, calls for Covid-19 preventive measures to be eased

For several days, North Korea has been reporting a "downward" trend in its Covid cases, and experts had predicted that the country may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance. The prediction came true. North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un has officially declared a "victory" against the novel coronavirus and has ordered the lifting of the country's maximum anti-epidemic measures which were imposed in May, reported state media KCNA.&nbsp;

North Korea declared victory despite having no known vaccination programme in place. As per Reuters, the nation claims that instead it used lockdowns, homegrown medical procedures, and what Kim referred to as the "advantageous Korean-style socialist system."

Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint: Over 80,000 tourists trapped in ‘China’s Hawaii’ after outbreak

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Kim Jong Un ordered the relaxation of the maximal anti-pandemic measures. However, he insisted that North Korea must maintain a "steel-strong anti-epidemic barrier and intensifying the anti-epidemic work until the end of the global health crisis."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-claims-all-fever-patients-in-the-country-have-recovered-503819">COVID-19: North Korea claims all fever patients in the country have fully recovered</a>

Announcing the win Kim called North Korea's official death rate of 74 people an "unprecedented miracle" compared to what other countries went through.

However, experts say that the country's numbers are unlikely to show the whole picture.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-covid-or-monkeypox-north-korea-reports-outbreak-of-unidentified-disease-heres-what-we-know-so-far-489241">Not Covid or monkeypox, North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified disease: Here's what we know so far</a>

The coronavirus outbreak was first acknowledged by North Korea in May, two years after the majority of nations made their struggles known to the world. North Korea is yet to disclose how many confirmed infections of the virus it has discovered, although since July 29 it has reported no new suspected cases. This, with what international assistance organisations claim to be "restricted testing capabilities".

(With inputs from agencies)

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For several days, North Korea has been reporting a "downward" trend in its Covid cases, and experts had predicted that the country may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance.

For several days, North Korea has been reporting a "downward" trend in its Covid cases, and experts had predicted that the country may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance. The prediction came true. North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un has officially declared a "victory" against the novel coronavirus and has ordered the lifting of the country's maximum anti-epidemic measures which were imposed in May, reported state media KCNA. North Korea declared victory despite having no known vaccination programme in place. As per Reuters, the nation claims that instead it used lockdowns, homegrown medical procedures, and what Kim referred to as the "advantageous Korean-style socialist system." Watch | WION Fineprint: Over 80,000 tourists trapped in ‘China’s Hawaii’ after outbreak Kim Jong Un ordered the relaxation of the maximal anti-pandemic measures. However, he insisted that North Korea must maintain a "steel-strong anti-epidemic barrier and intensifying the anti-epidemic work until the end of the global health crisis." Also read | COVID-19: North Korea claims all fever patients in the country have fully recovered Announcing the win Kim called North Korea's official death rate of 74 people an "unprecedented miracle" compared to what other countries went through. However, experts say that the country's numbers are unlikely to show the whole picture. Also Read | Not Covid or monkeypox, North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified disease: Here's what we know so far The coronavirus outbreak was first acknowledged by North Korea in May, two years after the majority of nations made their struggles known to the world. North Korea is yet to disclose how many confirmed infections of the virus it has discovered, although since July 29 it has reported no new suspected cases. This, with what international assistance organisations claim to be "restricted testing capabilities". (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kim Jong Un declares North Korea's 'unprecedented miracle' of a victory over Covid

North Korea is destroying the 'symbol of peace' between the two divided Koreas in Mount Kumgang. Molly Gambhir tells you why Pyongyang is turning the last sign of peace into ruins.

WION Fineprint: North Korea blows up tourist resort for South Koreans

According to Russian state media, North Korea has reportedly offered 100,000 "volunteer" troops to help bolster Russia’s chances of invading of Ukraine.

&nbsp;“There are reports that 100,000 North Korean volunteers are prepared to come and take part in the conflict,” Russian defence analyst Igor Korotchenko told Russian Channel One, reports New York Post.

Praising the North Korean military's "wealth of experience with counter-battery warfare," the expert said that Russia should wholeheartedly welcome the North Korean troops and their counter-battery expertise.

“If North Korea expresses a desire to meet its international duty to fight against Ukrainian fascism, we should let them,” <a name="_Hlk110931379">Korotchenko</a> was quoted as saying.

Korotchenko’s comments come days after reports emerged that several Russian states are providing so-called “volunteer” forces—a move deemed desperate by some Western intelligence analysts who have taken it as an indication that Vladimir Putin lacks the political capital to order a mass mobilisation within Russia.

Last month, UK’s MI6 chief Richard Moore said that Russia’s war effort was “about to run out of steam.”

“Our assessment is that the Russians will increasingly find it difficult to supply manpower [and] material over the next few weeks,” he was quoted as saying during a Q&amp;A session at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

According to New York-based Council for Foreign Relations, North Korea's military is the world's fourth largest, with nearly 1.3 million active personnel. It has further 600,000 personnel as reserve soldiers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-wired-nuclear-power-plant-with-explosives-ukraine-504910">Russia has wired nuclear power plant with explosives: Ukraine</a>

According to the defence experts in CFP, North Korea operates with aging equipment and technology.

South Korean newspaper Daily NK reported that North Korea has also offered workers to assist Russia in rebuilding a post-war Ukraine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/russia-ukraine-brace-for-a-prolonged-conflict-and-big-power-rivalries-489018">Russia-Ukraine: Brace for a prolonged conflict and big power rivalries</a>

The newspaper, citing Russian sources, reported that Kim Jong-un is planning on sending more than 1,000 workers to the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine if Russia wins the war.

(With inputs from agencies)

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According to Russian state media, North Korea has reportedly offered 100,000 "volunteer" troops to help bolster Russia’s chances of invading of Ukraine. “There are reports that 100,000 North Korean volunteers are prepared to come and take part in the conflict,” Russian defence analyst Igor Korotchenko told Russian Channel One, reports New York Post.

According to Russian state media, North Korea has reportedly offered 100,000 "volunteer" troops to help bolster Russia’s chances of invading of Ukraine. “There are reports that 100,000 North Korean volunteers are prepared to come and take part in the conflict,” Russian defence analyst Igor Korotchenko told Russian Channel One, reports New York Post. Praising the North Korean military's "wealth of experience with counter-battery warfare," the expert said that Russia should wholeheartedly welcome the North Korean troops and their counter-battery expertise. “If North Korea expresses a desire to meet its international duty to fight against Ukrainian fascism, we should let them,” Korotchenko was quoted as saying. Korotchenko’s comments come days after reports emerged that several Russian states are providing so-called “volunteer” forces—a move deemed desperate by some Western intelligence analysts who have taken it as an indication that Vladimir Putin lacks the political capital to order a mass mobilisation within Russia. Last month, UK’s MI6 chief Richard Moore said that Russia’s war effort was “about to run out of steam.” “Our assessment is that the Russians will increasingly find it difficult to supply manpower [and] material over the next few weeks,” he was quoted as saying during a Q&A session at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. According to New York-based Council for Foreign Relations, North Korea's military is the world's fourth largest, with nearly 1.3 million active personnel. It has further 600,000 personnel as reserve soldiers. Also read | Russia has wired nuclear power plant with explosives: Ukraine According to the defence experts in CFP, North Korea operates with aging equipment and technology. South Korean newspaper Daily NK reported that North Korea has also offered workers to assist Russia in rebuilding a post-war Ukraine. Also read | Russia-Ukraine: Brace for a prolonged conflict and big power rivalries The newspaper, citing Russian sources, reported that Kim Jong-un is planning on sending more than 1,000 workers to the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine if Russia wins the war. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

North Korea offering 100,000 troops to help Russia win Ukrainian war: State media

A confidential U.N report said that North Korea was on track to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017. South Korea and U.S intelligence officials detected efforts by Pyongyang to prepare its Northeastern nuclear testing grounds.

North Korea: Pyongyang seen readying nuke test site

In South Korea, Nancy Pelosi vowed support to denuclearize North Korea. But South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol didn't meet Pelosi. Why did Yoon avoid Pelosi? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: After China, Pelosi's message to North Korea

North Korea on Friday said that all of its fever patients have recovered, state media KCNA reported. This is its first such claim since the outbreak of coronavirus in the country that for long maintained that the pandemic hasn't reached its shores.&nbsp;

“There were no cases of fever from 6 pm, August 3 to 6 pm, August 4. There has been no fever in the past week. Strong control and command over the anti-epidemic policies are maintained consistently amid activities to strengthen the current quarantine situation and prevent the outbreak and the spread of infections across the country," Ryu Yong Chol, an official at State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters was quoted as saying by Reuters.

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The state media further said the “anti-epidemic situation...has entered a definite phase of stability". However, the country plans to "redouble efforts to maintain perfection in the execution of state anti-epidemic policies".

North Korea has said that around 4.77 million fever patients have fully recovered, while 74 people have died since late April. It has also reportedly not seen any new fever cases since July 30. However, the country has never confirmed how many people have tested positive for COVID-19.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-north-korea-grapples-with-food-crisis-flour-now-a-luxury-item-report-492992">As North Korea grapples with food crisis, flour now a luxury item: Report</a>

KCNA further informed that North Korea will work to strengthen the monitoring of new COVID-19 sub-variants and quickly mobilise medical workers in case of a crisis situation.

World Health Organization (WHO) has been fearful of the COVID-19 situation in the reclusive country as concrete data was never shared with the world.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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North Korea on Friday said that all of its fever patients have recovered, state media KCNA reported. This is its first such claim since the outbreak of coronavirus in the country that for long maintained that the pandemic hasn't reached its shores.

North Korea on Friday said that all of its fever patients have recovered, state media KCNA reported. This is its first such claim since the outbreak of coronavirus in the country that for long maintained that the pandemic hasn't reached its shores. “There were no cases of fever from 6 pm, August 3 to 6 pm, August 4. There has been no fever in the past week. Strong control and command over the anti-epidemic policies are maintained consistently amid activities to strengthen the current quarantine situation and prevent the outbreak and the spread of infections across the country," Ryu Yong Chol, an official at State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters was quoted as saying by Reuters. Also Read | Not Covid or monkeypox, North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified disease: Here's what we know so far The state media further said the “anti-epidemic situation...has entered a definite phase of stability". However, the country plans to "redouble efforts to maintain perfection in the execution of state anti-epidemic policies". North Korea has said that around 4.77 million fever patients have fully recovered, while 74 people have died since late April. It has also reportedly not seen any new fever cases since July 30. However, the country has never confirmed how many people have tested positive for COVID-19. Also Read | As North Korea grapples with food crisis, flour now a luxury item: Report KCNA further informed that North Korea will work to strengthen the monitoring of new COVID-19 sub-variants and quickly mobilise medical workers in case of a crisis situation. World Health Organization (WHO) has been fearful of the COVID-19 situation in the reclusive country as concrete data was never shared with the world. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: North Korea claims all fever patients in the country have fully recovered

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has made a fiery speech as he claimed that North Korea's nuclear deterrence is ready. He added that the South Korean President is pushing the situation to the brink of war.

North Korea threatens US with Nuclear war?

In the wake of indications North Korea&nbsp;may perform its first nuclear test since 2017, the nation's state media on Thursday reported that the leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his nation is prepared to mobilise its nuclear war deterrent and for any military conflict with the United States. According to the official KCNA news agency, Kim made the comments during a speech at a celebration to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Korean War armistice on July 27.&nbsp;As per a Reuters report, Kim said, the confrontation with the US presented a nuclear danger because it forced the North to complete an "urgent historical task" of bolstering its self-defence.

"Our armed forces are thoroughly prepared to respond to any crisis, and our nation's nuclear war deterrence is also fully ready to mobilise its absolute strength faithfully, accurately and promptly to its mission," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;North Korea: Kim Jong-Un declares 'Gravest national emergency'

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The declaration that Pyongyang has finished making preparations to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 was already&nbsp;made by South Korean and American officials prior to Jong Un's address.

In the address, Kim said that 70 years after the war, Washington still engages in "dangerous, illegal hostile acts" with South Korea against the North and tries to "demonise" the nation to support its actions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-kim-jong-un-declares-gravest-national-emergency-485133">North Korea: Kim Jong-Un declares 'Gravest national emergency'</a>

"I once again make it clear that North Korea is fully ready for any military confrontation with the United States," Kim said.

The North has long accused the United States of double standards in military activities and of having a hostile foreign policy toward Pyongyang. They claim that this undermines efforts to restart negotiations designed to curtail the nation's nuclear and missile programmes in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

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"The duplex act of the United States, which is misleading all the routine actions of our armed forces as 'provocation' and 'threat' while holding large-scale joint military exercises that seriously threaten our security, is literally a robbery," Kim said.

"That is driving bilateral relations to the point where it is difficult to turn back, into a state of conflict."

If the test is conducted, North Korea is likely to face further penalties, including steps to limit its ability to conduct cyberattacks, the foreign minister of South Korea warned on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the wake of indications North Korea may perform its first nuclear test since 2017, the nation's state media on Thursday reported that the leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his nation is prepared to mobilise its nuclear war deterrent and for any military conflict with the United States.

In the wake of indications North Korea may perform its first nuclear test since 2017, the nation's state media on Thursday reported that the leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his nation is prepared to mobilise its nuclear war deterrent and for any military conflict with the United States. According to the official KCNA news agency, Kim made the comments during a speech at a celebration to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Korean War armistice on July 27. As per a Reuters report, Kim said, the confrontation with the US presented a nuclear danger because it forced the North to complete an "urgent historical task" of bolstering its self-defence. "Our armed forces are thoroughly prepared to respond to any crisis, and our nation's nuclear war deterrence is also fully ready to mobilise its absolute strength faithfully, accurately and promptly to its mission," he said. Watch | North Korea: Kim Jong-Un declares 'Gravest national emergency' The declaration that Pyongyang has finished making preparations to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 was already made by South Korean and American officials prior to Jong Un's address. In the address, Kim said that 70 years after the war, Washington still engages in "dangerous, illegal hostile acts" with South Korea against the North and tries to "demonise" the nation to support its actions. Also read | North Korea: Kim Jong-Un declares 'Gravest national emergency' "I once again make it clear that North Korea is fully ready for any military confrontation with the United States," Kim said. The North has long accused the United States of double standards in military activities and of having a hostile foreign policy toward Pyongyang. They claim that this undermines efforts to restart negotiations designed to curtail the nation's nuclear and missile programmes in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Also read | Rare photos of Kim Jong-un, when he was teenager, unveiled in new documentary "The duplex act of the United States, which is misleading all the routine actions of our armed forces as 'provocation' and 'threat' while holding large-scale joint military exercises that seriously threaten our security, is literally a robbery," Kim said. "That is driving bilateral relations to the point where it is difficult to turn back, into a state of conflict." If the test is conducted, North Korea is likely to face further penalties, including steps to limit its ability to conduct cyberattacks, the foreign minister of South Korea warned on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea ready to use nukes against the United States: Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un visits war cemetery, says ready to mobilize nuclear war deterrent

'North Korea's nuclear deterrence ready,' Kim Jong Un makes a fiery speech

The U.S. Army on Monday released video footage of its Apache attack helicopters conducting live-fire drills in South Korea for the first time since 2019, as the allies step up military exercises amid tensions with North Korea.

US Army releases footage of Apache attack helicopters conducting live-fire drills in South Korea

On Sunday, North Korea echoed a claim made by Russia that the United States was producing biological weapons in Ukraine, which the UN rejected in March. Pyongyang, a close ally of Moscow, asserted in February that US policy was the “root cause of the Ukraine crisis”,&nbsp;and this month Kyiv severed diplomatic ties with North Korea after Pyongyang formally recognised two self-declared pro-Russian separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed on Sunday that Washington had “set up many biological labs in tens of countries and regions, including Ukraine, in disregard of the international treaties,” citing actions that had been “detected” by Russia. In March, Moscow accused the United States of supporting biological weapons development research in Ukraine, which Russia invaded nearly five months earlier.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lankan-crisis-economy-lessons-india-can-learn-498205">Sri Lankan crisis: Economy lessons India can learn</a>

The allegations that Ukraine had biological weapons production facilities were refuted by Washington and Kyiv, with the United States claiming that Moscow may employ similar strategies if the allegations were true. Additionally stated that the UN “was not aware of any biological weapons programme in Ukraine,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, in March.

(with inputs from agencies)

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On Sunday, North Korea echoed a claim made by Russia that the United States was producing biological weapons in Ukraine, which the UN rejected in March. Pyongyang, a close ally of Moscow, asserted in February that US policy was the “root cause of the Ukraine crisis”, and this month Kyiv severed diplomatic ties with North Korea after Pyongyang formally recognised two self-declared pro-Russian separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.

On Sunday, North Korea echoed a claim made by Russia that the United States was producing biological weapons in Ukraine, which the UN rejected in March. Pyongyang, a close ally of Moscow, asserted in February that US policy was the “root cause of the Ukraine crisis”, and this month Kyiv severed diplomatic ties with North Korea after Pyongyang formally recognised two self-declared pro-Russian separatist territories in eastern Ukraine. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed on Sunday that Washington had “set up many biological labs in tens of countries and regions, including Ukraine, in disregard of the international treaties,” citing actions that had been “detected” by Russia. In March, Moscow accused the United States of supporting biological weapons development research in Ukraine, which Russia invaded nearly five months earlier. Also Read: Sri Lankan crisis: Economy lessons India can learn The allegations that Ukraine had biological weapons production facilities were refuted by Washington and Kyiv, with the United States claiming that Moscow may employ similar strategies if the allegations were true. Additionally stated that the UN “was not aware of any biological weapons programme in Ukraine,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, in March. (with inputs from agencies)

North Korea claims that United States engaged in biological warfare in Ukraine

After Russia and Syria, North Korea has formally recognised the two Russian-backed breakaway "people's republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent states, a separatist leader claimed and the North's official news agency reported on Wednesday (July 13).&nbsp;

North Korean state media KCNA reported that the North Korean government sent letters Wednesday to the People's Republic of Donetsk and the People's Republic of Lugansk.&nbsp;

As quoted by the news agencies, Pyongyang said that it "decided to recognise the independence of both the regions". In the letter, it also expressed the will to develop state-to-state relations with those countries.&nbsp;

Russia ordered the invasion of its neighbouring nation Ukraine this year on February 24 and termed it a "special military operation". It recognised the areas as independent shortly before the&nbsp;invasion. On the other hand, Syria made the diplomatic move last month.&nbsp;

The DPR's Embassy in Moscow posted a photo on its Telegram channel of a ceremony in which North Korea's ambassador to Moscow, Sin Hong-chol, handed a certificate of recognition to DPR envoy Olga Makeyeva.&nbsp;

Ukraine slams North Korea

The Ukrainian foreign ministry slammed the move. In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said that North Korea's decision to recognise territories is described as "temporarily occupied by Russia".&nbsp;

"In response... Ukraine announces it is cutting diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the statement said.&nbsp;

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, according to the statement:&nbsp;"Russia no longer has any allies in the world, with the exception of countries that depend on it financially and politically."&nbsp;

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After Russia and Syria, North Korea has formally recognised the two Russian-backed breakaway "people's republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent states, a separatist leader claimed and the North's official news agency reported on Wednesday (July 13).

After Russia and Syria, North Korea has formally recognised the two Russian-backed breakaway "people's republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent states, a separatist leader claimed and the North's official news agency reported on Wednesday (July 13). North Korean state media KCNA reported that the North Korean government sent letters Wednesday to the People's Republic of Donetsk and the People's Republic of Lugansk. As quoted by the news agencies, Pyongyang said that it "decided to recognise the independence of both the regions". In the letter, it also expressed the will to develop state-to-state relations with those countries. Russia ordered the invasion of its neighbouring nation Ukraine this year on February 24 and termed it a "special military operation". It recognised the areas as independent shortly before the invasion. On the other hand, Syria made the diplomatic move last month. The DPR's Embassy in Moscow posted a photo on its Telegram channel of a ceremony in which North Korea's ambassador to Moscow, Sin Hong-chol, handed a certificate of recognition to DPR envoy Olga Makeyeva. Ukraine slams North Korea The Ukrainian foreign ministry slammed the move. In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said that North Korea's decision to recognise territories is described as "temporarily occupied by Russia". "In response... Ukraine announces it is cutting diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the statement said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, according to the statement: "Russia no longer has any allies in the world, with the exception of countries that depend on it financially and politically." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine slams North Korea for recognising independence of pro-Russian breakaway regions

North Korea on Wednesday recognised two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. The move has irked Kyiv as it has severed ties with Pyongyang.

North Korea recognises two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent

North Korea criticised the US, South Korea and Japan's recent agreement on strengthening military cooperation. It said the agreement is a means to materialise a US plan for a military alliance like NATO in the region.

'US spreading rumours to gain military supremacy,' says North Korea

After 913 days, since the first reported case of Covid-19, North Korea has now blamed its estranged neighbor South Korea for the spread of the infection. Interestingly, South Korea was one of the first countries to offer help when Kim Jong-Un's regime publicly accepted that it had reported Covid-19 cases, an offer which was immediately rejected.

North Korea blames South Korea for exchanging covid-laden balloons

Coronavirus News Updates: North Korea blames alien things for covid-19 spread

North Korea has claimed that the source of its Covid outbreak originated from people touching “alien things” near the South Korean border.

The North Korean government made these remarks on Friday while announcing the results of the probe that sought to find out how the hermit country contracted its first case. The comments were seen as an attempt to deflect the blame to its neighbour for the wave of coronavirus infections affecting the North.

The government then ordered its people to “vigilantly deal with alien things coming by wind and other climate phenomena and balloons in the areas along the demarcation line and borders”, reports Reuters citing state media KCNA.

According to its findings, an 18-year-old soldier and a five-year-old kindergartener who contacted the unidentified materials “in a hill around barracks and residential quarters” in the eastern county of Kumgang in early April showed symptoms and later tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The investigation results showed that several persons coming from the area of Ipho-ri in Kumgang County of Kangwon Province to the capital city in mid-April were in fever and a sharp increase of fever cases was witnessed among their contacts,” the state media said.

The KCNA said all other fever cases reported in the country till mid-April were due to other diseases, but it did not elaborate.

North Korea has been battling its first outbreak of Covid infections, declaring a state of emergency in May after years of enforcing tight restrictions to prevent the virus from entering the country.

In July 2020, North’s leader Kim Jong Un declared an emergency and imposed a three-week lockdown on Kaesong town, near the inter-Korean border, after a man who defected to the South in 2017 returned to the city showing COVID symptoms.

(With inputs from agencies)

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North Korea has claimed that the source of its Covid outbreak originated from people touching “alien things” near the South Korean border. The North Korean government made these remarks on Friday while announcing the results of the probe that sought to find out how the hermit country contracted its first case.

North Korea has claimed that the source of its Covid outbreak originated from people touching “alien things” near the South Korean border. The North Korean government made these remarks on Friday while announcing the results of the probe that sought to find out how the hermit country contracted its first case. The comments were seen as an attempt to deflect the blame to its neighbour for the wave of coronavirus infections affecting the North. The government then ordered its people to “vigilantly deal with alien things coming by wind and other climate phenomena and balloons in the areas along the demarcation line and borders”, reports Reuters citing state media KCNA. According to its findings, an 18-year-old soldier and a five-year-old kindergartener who contacted the unidentified materials “in a hill around barracks and residential quarters” in the eastern county of Kumgang in early April showed symptoms and later tested positive for the coronavirus. “The investigation results showed that several persons coming from the area of Ipho-ri in Kumgang County of Kangwon Province to the capital city in mid-April were in fever and a sharp increase of fever cases was witnessed among their contacts,” the state media said. The KCNA said all other fever cases reported in the country till mid-April were due to other diseases, but it did not elaborate. North Korea has been battling its first outbreak of Covid infections, declaring a state of emergency in May after years of enforcing tight restrictions to prevent the virus from entering the country. In July 2020, North’s leader Kim Jong Un declared an emergency and imposed a three-week lockdown on Kaesong town, near the inter-Korean border, after a man who defected to the South in 2017 returned to the city showing COVID symptoms. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

North Korea claims ‘alien things’ near border with South responsible for Covid outbreak

North Korean hackers are suspected to be behind a cyberattack that resulted in theft of as much as USD 100 million in cryptocurrency from a US company last week. Three digital investigative firms have made the conclusion.

The cryptoassets were stolen on June 23 from Horizon Bridge, a service operated by the Harmony blockchain that allows assets to be transferred to other blockchains.

The activity by hackers since then suggests that they may be linked to North Korea. Experts say that North Korea is among the most prolific cyber attackers. &nbsp;UN sanctions monitors says Pyongyang uses the stolen funds to support its nuclear and missile programmes.

The style of attack and high velocity of structured payments to a mixer - used to obscure the origin of funds - is similar to previous attacks that were attributed to North Korea-linked actors, Chainalysis, a blockchain firm working with Harmony to investigate the attack, said on Twitter on Tuesday.

That conclusion was echoed by other investigators.

"Preliminarily this looks like a North Korean hack based on transaction behaviour," said Nick Carlsen, a former FBI analyst who now investigates North Korea's cryptocurrency heists for TRM Labs, a U.S.-based firm.

There is a strong possibility that North Korea's Lazarus Group may be responsible for the theft. The conclusion has been based on the nature of the hack and subsequent laundering of the funds.

(With inputs from agencies)

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North Korean hackers are suspected to be behind a cyberattack that resulted in theft of as much as USD 100 million in cryptocurrency from a US company last week.

North Korean hackers are suspected to be behind a cyberattack that resulted in theft of as much as USD 100 million in cryptocurrency from a US company last week. Three digital investigative firms have made the conclusion. The cryptoassets were stolen on June 23 from Horizon Bridge, a service operated by the Harmony blockchain that allows assets to be transferred to other blockchains. The activity by hackers since then suggests that they may be linked to North Korea. Experts say that North Korea is among the most prolific cyber attackers. UN sanctions monitors says Pyongyang uses the stolen funds to support its nuclear and missile programmes. The style of attack and high velocity of structured payments to a mixer - used to obscure the origin of funds - is similar to previous attacks that were attributed to North Korea-linked actors, Chainalysis, a blockchain firm working with Harmony to investigate the attack, said on Twitter on Tuesday. That conclusion was echoed by other investigators. "Preliminarily this looks like a North Korean hack based on transaction behaviour," said Nick Carlsen, a former FBI analyst who now investigates North Korea's cryptocurrency heists for TRM Labs, a U.S.-based firm. There is a strong possibility that North Korea's Lazarus Group may be responsible for the theft. The conclusion has been based on the nature of the hack and subsequent laundering of the funds. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Experts blame North Korea for USD 100 million cryptocurrency theft

As the world grapples with the food crisis, reports claim flour prices in North Korea have increased so fast that only the wealthy can now afford to buy it making it a status symbol.

Flour has reportedly become much costlier than rice as it has become scarce, reports claim. The Communist nation had recently said several families had fallen victim to an unidentified intestinal disease even as it grapples with a virus wave.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-dark-economy-of-north-korea-490588">Also Read:&nbsp;The dark economy of North Korea</a>

Kim Jong Un's regime had announced the emergence of coronavirus cases last month as it activated the "maximum emergency epidemic prevention system" to combat the disease. Despite the strict measures, reports claimed there were over 4.5 million coronavirus cases with 73 deaths.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea reports mysterious intestinal disease

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Reports say&nbsp;North Koreans are finding it difficult to buy imported flour as it is expensive. North Korea had suspended the import of cheap Russian and Chinese flour as the coronavirus pandemic took hold worldwide in early 2020 as a result flour prices have skyrocketed in the country.

Reports say eating bread has become a status symbol in the country as the country grapples with the current food shortage.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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As the world grapples with the food crisis, reports claim flour prices in North Korea have increased so fast that only the wealthy can now afford to buy it making it a status symbol.

As the world grapples with the food crisis, reports claim flour prices in North Korea have increased so fast that only the wealthy can now afford to buy it making it a status symbol. Flour has reportedly become much costlier than rice as it has become scarce, reports claim. The Communist nation had recently said several families had fallen victim to an unidentified intestinal disease even as it grapples with a virus wave. Also Read: The dark economy of North Korea Kim Jong Un's regime had announced the emergence of coronavirus cases last month as it activated the "maximum emergency epidemic prevention system" to combat the disease. Despite the strict measures, reports claimed there were over 4.5 million coronavirus cases with 73 deaths. Watch: North Korea reports mysterious intestinal disease Reports say North Koreans are finding it difficult to buy imported flour as it is expensive. North Korea had suspended the import of cheap Russian and Chinese flour as the coronavirus pandemic took hold worldwide in early 2020 as a result flour prices have skyrocketed in the country. Reports say eating bread has become a status symbol in the country as the country grapples with the current food shortage. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

As North Korea grapples with food crisis, flour now a luxury item: Report

Amid the war in Ukraine, North Korea has accussed the United States of trying to "establish an Asia-style NATO".

"While blatantly holding joint military exercises with Japan and South Korea, the United States is making a full-fledged move to establish an Asia-style NATO," North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-dark-economy-of-north-korea-490588">Also Read:&nbsp;The dark economy of North Korea</a>

The US and South Korea recently conducted a naval exercise which ended earlier this month. The three-day exercise took place off the Japanese island of Okinawa.

Significantly, US aircraft carriers also took part in the naval exercise as the US Navy's 7th Fleet said it was meant to strengthen the interoperability of the two navies amid tensions between South Korea and North Korea.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea working to include 2nd tunnel at nuclear test site

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The development comes as reports claim North Korea may be preparing to test nuclear weapons. North Korea has conducted a number of ballistic missile tests this year including ICBM missile launch.

The United States and South Korea have warned of a swift reply if North Korea conducts a nuclear test. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had the US has&nbsp; "no hostile intent" towards Kim Jong-Un's regime while pursuing a "diplomatic approach".

"This proves the hypocrisy of the US rhetoric of 'diplomatic engagement' and 'dialogue without preconditions', while at the same time revealing again that there is no change in the US ambition to overthrow our system by force," North Korea said.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Amid the war in Ukraine, North Korea has accussed the United States of trying to "establish an Asia-style NATO". "While blatantly holding joint military exercises with Japan and South Korea, the United States is making a full-fledged move to establish an Asia-style NATO," North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Amid the war in Ukraine, North Korea has accussed the United States of trying to "establish an Asia-style NATO". "While blatantly holding joint military exercises with Japan and South Korea, the United States is making a full-fledged move to establish an Asia-style NATO," North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement. Also Read: The dark economy of North Korea The US and South Korea recently conducted a naval exercise which ended earlier this month. The three-day exercise took place off the Japanese island of Okinawa. Significantly, US aircraft carriers also took part in the naval exercise as the US Navy's 7th Fleet said it was meant to strengthen the interoperability of the two navies amid tensions between South Korea and North Korea. Watch: North Korea working to include 2nd tunnel at nuclear test site The development comes as reports claim North Korea may be preparing to test nuclear weapons. North Korea has conducted a number of ballistic missile tests this year including ICBM missile launch. The United States and South Korea have warned of a swift reply if North Korea conducts a nuclear test. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had the US has "no hostile intent" towards Kim Jong-Un's regime while pursuing a "diplomatic approach". "This proves the hypocrisy of the US rhetoric of 'diplomatic engagement' and 'dialogue without preconditions', while at the same time revealing again that there is no change in the US ambition to overthrow our system by force," North Korea said. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US moving to establish an Asia-style NATO, says North Korea

For decades, there have been extensive sanctions against North Korea. Weapons, raw materials, machines, vehicles, luxury goods, chemicals&nbsp;and textiles. Almost no country in the world trades with this totalitarian regime. In the few countries with which North Korea trades, the nation rather buys than sells, putting itself more into debt internationally. The economy has been stagnating for years, with millions of people living in abject poverty. On the contrary, the supreme ruler of the country, Kim Jong Un, has magnificent monuments built, maintains a gigantic military&nbsp;and finances an expensive nuclear programme. The country's income is not enough for that—so where does all the money come from?

Insurance fraud, cyber-attacks, counterfeit money&nbsp;and modern slavery, North Korea will stop at nothing. North Korea's currency, the won, is not traded at international markets. To buy one or the other tank, you need dollars, yuan, or euros. But how can you earn a lot of money quickly and anonymously. For a long time, it was assumed that there was a separate authority in Pyongyang only for this purpose. The mysterious Room 39. Various leaks and several North Korean refugees today independently confirmed the existence of the bureau. Room 39 is supposed to raise foreign money for the regime, no matter how. At the end of the eighties, the activities of Room 39 were made public for the first time.

While the economy of North Korea is on life support, let's take a look at some infamous life support tactics harnessed by their government over decades.

Supernotes

The USD notes look insanely real, but they are not. There were so many of these notes in circulation—they were so well forged that they were called "supernotes." According to a former North Korean diplomat, they come from North Korea. The North Korean government bought some money printing machines back then, the same model that prints real dollar notes, and the printed supernotes were then given to diplomats. Until today, they were the regime's errand boys with special status, as they deposited the supernotes abroad, for example, in banks and had real dollars paid out. The real notes were then delivered back to Beijing by the case. There are probably still several million of these supernotes in circulation. Whether the money printing machines still print notes today is unclear.

Insurance fraud

In 2005 and 2006, numerous claims were received by international insurers. A helicopter crashed in Pyongyang, two trains were involved in an accident, and a ferry sank. The best part is that all of these were insured abroad. The insurance monopoly, Korea National Insurance Corporation, has received at least 58 million USD from various global insurers for helicopter crashes alone. There is much to suggest, however, that the accidents were only staged, as was reported by The Washington Post in 2009.

Weapons and T-shirts

If your t-shirt says "Made in China," there is a high probability that it was produced in North Korea. Chinese textile companies are increasingly outsourcing their production to cheap factories in North Korea, where the employees often work under inhumane conditions. Nevertheless, in your shirt, you will only find a mention of China while North Korea's export continues. Along with textiles, oil and coal are also assumed to be exported to many neighbouring countries. According to a United Nations report, North Korea also supplies weapons, mostly via international waters, especially to Africa and the Middle East. To remain undetected, the identities of the respective ships are forged, and the radio systems are manipulated. For example, Syria was supplied with at least 40 shiploads between 2012 and 2017, most likely destined for Assad's chemical weapons program. In the Syrian civil war, these chemical weapons killed many innocent people.

Modern Slavery

According to the Global Slavery Index, 2.6 million North Koreans are currently in modern-day slavery. The country most likely engages a part of its population as forced labourers, especially in China, Russia, and Southeast Asia. Some are said to have been used on European construction sites until recently.

The families are left behind to serve as hostages, and for many forced labourers, this is the only reason not to flee to freedom. The United Nations estimates that the North Korean government still receives billions of dollars in income from forced labour alone.

Cyber Attacks

North Korea is infamous for cyber-attacks globally. Not a single North Korean has access to the Internet, yet the country has a Cyber Army in which about 1800 people are supposed to be deployed. An auxiliary office is even said to have been established for this purpose—Bureau 121. In 2016, Bangladesh's central bank was hacked—several million dollars were stolen, and the FBI is convinced that North Korea was involved.

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware infected over 200,000 Windows computers in over 100 countries with the cryptoworm. The ransomware encrypted all the data on these computers and demanded a ransom of 300 USD in Bitcoin to recover the data, or else the data would remain encrypted forever. The attack group did 100 million USD worth of damage, and the American, British, and Australian governments are certain that North Korea was behind the attack.

Black markets

Many of North Korea's illegal activities have not been exclusively controlled by the government since 2000. In the nineties, there was a severe famine in which hundreds of thousands of North Koreans died. At that time, the regime failed to protect its people, and, as a consequence, numerous black markets have developed, and the government could only partially control these. The operators of these black markets often work closely with the corrupt government, and the government always turns a blind eye if a part of the money flows towards the state. On the black markets, not only food, clothes, and everyday objects are traded, but also drugs and foreign currencies.

A large part of this unofficial trade takes place in China. The border in the north is very long and much less guarded than the border with South Korea. Chinese authorities seized 60 million USD worth of drugs from North Korea in 2011. Hundreds of kilogrammes of narcotics produced in the neighbouring country are repeatedly found in China.

It's not all over.

Amid this tremendous economic crisis, Kim Jong Un believes that expanding his nuclear and missile arsenals will convince the United States to engage in "arms control talks." This will mean accepting North Korea as a nuclear power and Pyongyang receiving sanctions relief to revive its economy from life support, but the economy will still be governed by the supreme ruler of North Korea!

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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For decades, there have been extensive sanctions against North Korea. Weapons, raw materials, machines, vehicles, luxury goods, chemicals and textiles. Almost no country in the world trades with this totalitarian regime.

For decades, there have been extensive sanctions against North Korea. Weapons, raw materials, machines, vehicles, luxury goods, chemicals and textiles. Almost no country in the world trades with this totalitarian regime. In the few countries with which North Korea trades, the nation rather buys than sells, putting itself more into debt internationally. The economy has been stagnating for years, with millions of people living in abject poverty. On the contrary, the supreme ruler of the country, Kim Jong Un, has magnificent monuments built, maintains a gigantic military and finances an expensive nuclear programme. The country's income is not enough for that—so where does all the money come from? Insurance fraud, cyber-attacks, counterfeit money and modern slavery, North Korea will stop at nothing. North Korea's currency, the won, is not traded at international markets. To buy one or the other tank, you need dollars, yuan, or euros. But how can you earn a lot of money quickly and anonymously. For a long time, it was assumed that there was a separate authority in Pyongyang only for this purpose. The mysterious Room 39. Various leaks and several North Korean refugees today independently confirmed the existence of the bureau. Room 39 is supposed to raise foreign money for the regime, no matter how. At the end of the eighties, the activities of Room 39 were made public for the first time. While the economy of North Korea is on life support, let's take a look at some infamous life support tactics harnessed by their government over decades. Supernotes The USD notes look insanely real, but they are not. There were so many of these notes in circulation—they were so well forged that they were called "supernotes." According to a former North Korean diplomat, they come from North Korea. The North Korean government bought some money printing machines back then, the same model that prints real dollar notes, and the printed supernotes were then given to diplomats. Until today, they were the regime's errand boys with special status, as they deposited the supernotes abroad, for example, in banks and had real dollars paid out. The real notes were then delivered back to Beijing by the case. There are probably still several million of these supernotes in circulation. Whether the money printing machines still print notes today is unclear. Insurance fraud In 2005 and 2006, numerous claims were received by international insurers. A helicopter crashed in Pyongyang, two trains were involved in an accident, and a ferry sank. The best part is that all of these were insured abroad. The insurance monopoly, Korea National Insurance Corporation, has received at least 58 million USD from various global insurers for helicopter crashes alone. There is much to suggest, however, that the accidents were only staged, as was reported by The Washington Post in 2009. Weapons and T-shirts If your t-shirt says "Made in China," there is a high probability that it was produced in North Korea. Chinese textile companies are increasingly outsourcing their production to cheap factories in North Korea, where the employees often work under inhumane conditions. Nevertheless, in your shirt, you will only find a mention of China while North Korea's export continues. Along with textiles, oil and coal are also assumed to be exported to many neighbouring countries. According to a United Nations report, North Korea also supplies weapons, mostly via international waters, especially to Africa and the Middle East. To remain undetected, the identities of the respective ships are forged, and the radio systems are manipulated. For example, Syria was supplied with at least 40 shiploads between 2012 and 2017, most likely destined for Assad's chemical weapons program. In the Syrian civil war, these chemical weapons killed many innocent people. Modern Slavery According to the Global Slavery Index, 2.6 million North Koreans are currently in modern-day slavery. The country most likely engages a part of its population as forced labourers, especially in China, Russia, and Southeast Asia. Some are said to have been used on European construction sites until recently. The families are left behind to serve as hostages, and for many forced labourers, this is the only reason not to flee to freedom. The United Nations estimates that the North Korean government still receives billions of dollars in income from forced labour alone. Cyber Attacks North Korea is infamous for cyber-attacks globally. Not a single North Korean has access to the Internet, yet the country has a Cyber Army in which about 1800 people are supposed to be deployed. An auxiliary office is even said to have been established for this purpose—Bureau 121. In 2016, Bangladesh's central bank was hacked—several million dollars were stolen, and the FBI is convinced that North Korea was involved. The 2017 WannaCry ransomware infected over 200,000 Windows computers in over 100 countries with the cryptoworm. The ransomware encrypted all the data on these computers and demanded a ransom of 300 USD in Bitcoin to recover the data, or else the data would remain encrypted forever. The attack group did 100 million USD worth of damage, and the American, British, and Australian governments are certain that North Korea was behind the attack. Black markets Many of North Korea's illegal activities have not been exclusively controlled by the government since 2000. In the nineties, there was a severe famine in which hundreds of thousands of North Koreans died. At that time, the regime failed to protect its people, and, as a consequence, numerous black markets have developed, and the government could only partially control these. The operators of these black markets often work closely with the corrupt government, and the government always turns a blind eye if a part of the money flows towards the state. On the black markets, not only food, clothes, and everyday objects are traded, but also drugs and foreign currencies. A large part of this unofficial trade takes place in China. The border in the north is very long and much less guarded than the border with South Korea. Chinese authorities seized 60 million USD worth of drugs from North Korea in 2011. Hundreds of kilogrammes of narcotics produced in the neighbouring country are repeatedly found in China. It's not all over. Amid this tremendous economic crisis, Kim Jong Un believes that expanding his nuclear and missile arsenals will convince the United States to engage in "arms control talks." This will mean accepting North Korea as a nuclear power and Pyongyang receiving sanctions relief to revive its economy from life support, but the economy will still be governed by the supreme ruler of North Korea! (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The dark economy of North Korea

It’s only been a month since North Korea acknowledged having an COVID-19 outbreak, after steadfastly denying any cases for more than two years. But already it may be preparing to declare victory.

According to state media, North Korea has avoided the mass deaths many expected in a nation with one of the world’s worst health care systems, little or no access to vaccines, and what outsiders see as a long record of ignoring the suffering of its people.

Daily updates from official media make it appear inevitable that the nation will completely defeat a virus that has killed more than 6 million people around the world. According to the official tally, cases are plummeting, and, while 18% of the nation of 26 million people reportedly have had symptoms that outsiders strongly suspect were from COVID-19, less than 100 have died.

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The South Korean government as well as some experts believe that North Korea may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance.&nbsp; 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-image-shows-north-korean-activity-in-tunnel-4-at-punggye-ri-nuclear-facility-488923" hreflang="en">Satellite image shows North Korean activity in tunnel 4 at Punggye-ri nuclear facility</a>

A victory lap, however, isn’t a foregone conclusion. Doing so, according to some experts, would deprive Kim of a useful tool to control the public and possibly open the government up to humiliation if cases continue.&nbsp;

“There are two sides to such a declaration,” said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst with the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. “If North Korea says that COVID-19 has gone, it can emphasize that Kim Jong Un is a great leader who has overcome the pandemic. But in doing so, it can’t maintain the powerful restrictions that it uses to control its people in the name of containing COVID-19.”

Outsiders suspect that Kim is using the outbreak to boost internal unity at a time when many of his people are tired of 2 ½ years of draconian curbs that have hurt their livelihoods.

However North Korea deals with its description of the pandemic, many signs, at least in public statements, point to a declaration of a stunning success in dealing with a virus that has confounded the richest countries in the world.

In the initial stage of the outbreak, Kim described a “great upheaval” as daily fever cases — North Korea rarely calls them COVID-19, presumably because it lacks test kits — reached about 400,000. Now, however, the leader is suggesting that the outbreak has peaked, with his health officials maintaining a widely disputed fatality rate of 0.002%, the lowest in the world.

The question many outside experts are wrestling with is: What is the true state of misery in North Korea, which has banned nearly all outside journalists, aid workers and diplomats since early 2020?

North Korea is widely believed to be manipulating its true death toll to prevent any harm to Kim. It might also have exaggerated the number of earlier fever cases to boost vigilance against the virus and draw stronger public support for authorities’ anti-virus controls. North Korea has recently reported about 17,000 to 30,000 new fever cases each day, for a total of 4.7 million. It says — to widespread outside disbelief — that only 73 have died.&nbsp;

Whatever the real situation is, outside monitoring groups say they haven’t detected signs of anything catastrophic in North Korea.

“If a large number of people had died, there would have been some pieces of evidence, but there hasn’t been any,” said Nam Sung-wook, a professor at Korea University in South Korea. During a huge famine in the 1990s, for instance, rumors of widespread death and of people abandoning bodies spread outside of the country, into China and South Korea.

Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector in Seoul who runs a company analyzing the North’s economy, said three of her contacts in the northern North Korean city of Hyesan told her during phone calls that most of their family members have suffered suspected COVID-19 symptoms. But she said they told her that none of their relatives, neighbors and acquaintances has died of COVID-19, though they’ve heard rumors of such deaths in other towns.

“During an earlier phone conversation, one of my sources cried a little bit when she said she was worried that some bad things could happen in her family (because of COVID-19). But now she and others have become stable and sometimes laugh when we talk on the phone,” Kang said. 
&nbsp;

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It’s only been a month since North Korea acknowledged having an COVID-19 outbreak, after steadfastly denying any cases for more than two years. But already it may be preparing to declare victory.

It’s only been a month since North Korea acknowledged having an COVID-19 outbreak, after steadfastly denying any cases for more than two years. But already it may be preparing to declare victory. According to state media, North Korea has avoided the mass deaths many expected in a nation with one of the world’s worst health care systems, little or no access to vaccines, and what outsiders see as a long record of ignoring the suffering of its people. Daily updates from official media make it appear inevitable that the nation will completely defeat a virus that has killed more than 6 million people around the world. According to the official tally, cases are plummeting, and, while 18% of the nation of 26 million people reportedly have had symptoms that outsiders strongly suspect were from COVID-19, less than 100 have died. × The South Korean government as well as some experts believe that North Korea may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance. Also read | Satellite image shows North Korean activity in tunnel 4 at Punggye-ri nuclear facility A victory lap, however, isn’t a foregone conclusion. Doing so, according to some experts, would deprive Kim of a useful tool to control the public and possibly open the government up to humiliation if cases continue. “There are two sides to such a declaration,” said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst with the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. “If North Korea says that COVID-19 has gone, it can emphasize that Kim Jong Un is a great leader who has overcome the pandemic. But in doing so, it can’t maintain the powerful restrictions that it uses to control its people in the name of containing COVID-19.” Outsiders suspect that Kim is using the outbreak to boost internal unity at a time when many of his people are tired of 2 ½ years of draconian curbs that have hurt their livelihoods. However North Korea deals with its description of the pandemic, many signs, at least in public statements, point to a declaration of a stunning success in dealing with a virus that has confounded the richest countries in the world. In the initial stage of the outbreak, Kim described a “great upheaval” as daily fever cases — North Korea rarely calls them COVID-19, presumably because it lacks test kits — reached about 400,000. Now, however, the leader is suggesting that the outbreak has peaked, with his health officials maintaining a widely disputed fatality rate of 0.002%, the lowest in the world. The question many outside experts are wrestling with is: What is the true state of misery in North Korea, which has banned nearly all outside journalists, aid workers and diplomats since early 2020? North Korea is widely believed to be manipulating its true death toll to prevent any harm to Kim. It might also have exaggerated the number of earlier fever cases to boost vigilance against the virus and draw stronger public support for authorities’ anti-virus controls. North Korea has recently reported about 17,000 to 30,000 new fever cases each day, for a total of 4.7 million. It says — to widespread outside disbelief — that only 73 have died. Whatever the real situation is, outside monitoring groups say they haven’t detected signs of anything catastrophic in North Korea. “If a large number of people had died, there would have been some pieces of evidence, but there hasn’t been any,” said Nam Sung-wook, a professor at Korea University in South Korea. During a huge famine in the 1990s, for instance, rumors of widespread death and of people abandoning bodies spread outside of the country, into China and South Korea. Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector in Seoul who runs a company analyzing the North’s economy, said three of her contacts in the northern North Korean city of Hyesan told her during phone calls that most of their family members have suffered suspected COVID-19 symptoms. But she said they told her that none of their relatives, neighbors and acquaintances has died of COVID-19, though they’ve heard rumors of such deaths in other towns. “During an earlier phone conversation, one of my sources cried a little bit when she said she was worried that some bad things could happen in her family (because of COVID-19). But now she and others have become stable and sometimes laugh when we talk on the phone,” Kang said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'It always wins': North Korea may declare Covid-19 victory

North Korea has reported several cases of a mysterious intestinal disease. The state-run news agency claims that all suspected cases have been asked to quarantine. What are the symptoms of this disease? Is North Korea equipped to fight it? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: North Korea reports mysterious intestinal disease

Never-before-seen photos of Kim Jong-un have been published by the country's state media, in a documentary based on Kim's late mentor Hyon Chol-hae. The documentary "Closest to the Sun" revolves around the relationship between Kim and Hyon, media reports said. The documentary details Kim's involvement in his mentor's heart treatment between 2017 and 2021.&nbsp;

The series of photos give a rare glimpse into Kim Jong-un's life when he was a teenager. Kim has been Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012. Kim Jong-un's father was North Korea's second supreme leader from 1994 to 2011.&nbsp;

The photos went viral when the documentary was broadcast by North Korean state media. Several black and white images have been released.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-covid-or-monkeypox-north-korea-reports-outbreak-of-unidentified-disease-heres-what-we-know-so-far-489241">Not Covid or monkeypox, North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified disease: Here's what we know so far</a>&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Large number of refugees return home: Turkey&nbsp;

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In one of the images, Kim can be seen holding the hands of his mentor Hyon Chol-hae, who was a North Korean military officer.&nbsp;

During the Korean War, Hyon served as Kim Il-sung's bodyguard. Experts have noted that the bodyguard role gave him "a place in North Korea's revolutionary history".&nbsp;

Hyon died last month. He helped groom Kim to be the next leader of the country after Kim’s father died.&nbsp;

In another photo, the North Korean Supreme leader can be seen with Hyon, his late father Kim Jong Il and his sister Kim Yo-jong. In one photo, he can be seen standing with his mentor behind his father.&nbsp;

See pictures here:&nbsp;

<img alt="Kim Jong-un" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14af792c-0559-4d7c-8114-9bbb6a8c7ce0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kim%20Jong-un.jpg" /> 
Image credit:&nbsp;Korean Central TV

<img alt="Kim Jong-un" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="05c0d175-67db-4714-ba4b-c11dcfe5216e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kim%20Jong-un%20%282%29.jpg" />

Image credit:&nbsp;Korean Central TV

<img alt="Kim Jong-un" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fc5699a-e879-4518-8872-067fcafd372f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kim%20Jong-un%20%283%29.jpg" />

Image credit:&nbsp;Korean Central TV

<img alt="Kim Jong-un" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fbf96d67-5e8c-4b61-9c7d-e52e7bd45b87" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kim%20Jong-un%20%284%29.jpg" />

Image credit:&nbsp;Korean Central TV

<img alt="Kim Jong-un" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="968749ce-188b-49cc-ab9d-360385d4a84a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kim%20Jong-un%20%285%29.jpg" />

Image credit:&nbsp;Korean Central TV

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Never-before-seen photos of Kim Jong-un have been published by the country's state media, in a documentary based on Kim's late mentor Hyon Chol-hae. The documentary "Closest to the Sun" revolves around the relationship between Kim and Hyon, media reports said.

Never-before-seen photos of Kim Jong-un have been published by the country's state media, in a documentary based on Kim's late mentor Hyon Chol-hae. The documentary "Closest to the Sun" revolves around the relationship between Kim and Hyon, media reports said. The documentary details Kim's involvement in his mentor's heart treatment between 2017 and 2021. The series of photos give a rare glimpse into Kim Jong-un's life when he was a teenager. Kim has been Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012. Kim Jong-un's father was North Korea's second supreme leader from 1994 to 2011. The photos went viral when the documentary was broadcast by North Korean state media. Several black and white images have been released. ALSO READ | Not Covid or monkeypox, North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified disease: Here's what we know so far WATCH | Large number of refugees return home: Turkey × In one of the images, Kim can be seen holding the hands of his mentor Hyon Chol-hae, who was a North Korean military officer. During the Korean War, Hyon served as Kim Il-sung's bodyguard. Experts have noted that the bodyguard role gave him "a place in North Korea's revolutionary history". Hyon died last month. He helped groom Kim to be the next leader of the country after Kim’s father died. In another photo, the North Korean Supreme leader can be seen with Hyon, his late father Kim Jong Il and his sister Kim Yo-jong. In one photo, he can be seen standing with his mentor behind his father. See pictures here: Image credit: Korean Central TV Image credit: Korean Central TV Image credit: Korean Central TV Image credit: Korean Central TV Image credit: Korean Central TV WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rare photos of Kim Jong-un, when he was teenager, unveiled in new documentary

As the world still struggles to cope with the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its after-effects, the sudden increase in monkeypox cases emerged as another scare.

As the world still struggles to cope with the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its after-effects, the sudden increase in monkeypox cases emerged as another scare. Now, North Korea said Friday (June 17) that hundreds of families have fallen ill with an "unidentified" intestinal disease. The situation will put immense pressure on the healthcare system of the country which is already strained by Covid. What do we know? The official KCNA this week announced a new "acute enteric epidemic" in South Hwanghae province. Kim has apparently urged officials to "contain the epidemic at the earliest date possible". Is it serious? Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, was one of a group of senior officials who reportedly personally donated medicine to try and help. This is a possible sign of the seriousness of the situation. Aid to families The state media KCNA reported Friday that the medicine will be delivered to "over 800 families suffering from the acute epidemic which broke out in some areas of South Hwanghae Province." The report didn't mention what kind of medicines. How many people are affected? As per the report, at least 1,600 people have been infected with the enteric disease. The reports have sparked speculation that the unspecified disease may be cholera or typhoid. Other risks In case it is confirmed, the outbreak could worsen the country's chronic food shortages because South Hwanghae province is one of North Korea's main agricultural regions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Not Covid or monkeypox, North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified disease: Here's what we know so far

North Korea announced that it is dealing with an intestinal sickness outbreak adding to the ongoing Covid-19 strain. Experts suggest that the sickness could be typhoid or cholera. North Korea did not reveal the number of patients in the latest sickness.

North Korea’s new outbreak amid ongoing Covid-19 ‘fever’ cases

In North Korea which is battling chronic food shortages amid a wave of covid-19 infections, Pyongyang reported an outbreak of an unidentified intestinal epidemic, here's some more details on that story.

North Korea: Unknown disease found in key agricultural region

North Korea revealed that it was facing an acute enteric epidemic. However, officials did not elaborate what the disease was, but enteric refers to the gastrointestinal tract.

North Korea sends aid to 800 families suffering from 'unidentified disease'

Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supplied aid to 800 families suffering from an "acute enteric epidemic."

Calling upon officials "to fulfil their duty in the work for easing the people's misfortune and sufferings as soon as possible," Kim said "The officials ... prepared medicines, foodstuff and daily necessities needed for the treatment of the epidemic and stable life to render aid to the people in Haeju City and Kangryong County (of South Hwanghae Province)."

Suspected to be cholera or typhoid, the outbreak is being monitored by South Korea's Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs.

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Raising concerns may add to chronic food shortages amid the wave of COVID-19 infections, South Hwanghae Province, which is North Korea's key agricultural region, said it will have an adverse impact on production.

Rather than confirmed COVID cases, North Korea has been reporting patient numbers with fever symptoms, potentially due to a lack of testing ability.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-image-shows-north-korean-activity-in-tunnel-4-at-punggye-ri-nuclear-facility-488923" hreflang="en">Satellite image shows North Korean activity in tunnel 4 at Punggye-ri nuclear facility</a>

Bringing the total number in the country since late April to above 4.58 million, KCNA on Friday reported 23,160 more people with fever symptoms.

Expressing optimism that the COVID wave has shown signs of subsiding, Kim said in North Korea more than 99 per cent of fever patients have recovered.

However, its claims have been disputed by the World Health Organization which has said it believes the situation is getting worse.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supplied aid to 800 families suffering from an "acute enteric epidemic." Calling upon officials "to fulfil their duty in the work for easing the people's misfortune and sufferings as soon as possible," Kim said "The officials .

Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supplied aid to 800 families suffering from an "acute enteric epidemic." Calling upon officials "to fulfil their duty in the work for easing the people's misfortune and sufferings as soon as possible," Kim said "The officials ... prepared medicines, foodstuff and daily necessities needed for the treatment of the epidemic and stable life to render aid to the people in Haeju City and Kangryong County (of South Hwanghae Province)." Suspected to be cholera or typhoid, the outbreak is being monitored by South Korea's Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs. × Raising concerns may add to chronic food shortages amid the wave of COVID-19 infections, South Hwanghae Province, which is North Korea's key agricultural region, said it will have an adverse impact on production. Rather than confirmed COVID cases, North Korea has been reporting patient numbers with fever symptoms, potentially due to a lack of testing ability. Also read | Satellite image shows North Korean activity in tunnel 4 at Punggye-ri nuclear facility Bringing the total number in the country since late April to above 4.58 million, KCNA on Friday reported 23,160 more people with fever symptoms. Expressing optimism that the COVID wave has shown signs of subsiding, Kim said in North Korea more than 99 per cent of fever patients have recovered. However, its claims have been disputed by the World Health Organization which has said it believes the situation is getting worse. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sends aid to 800 families suffering from 'acute enteric epidemic'

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