March 28, 2024
COVID-19

Japan believes COVID-19 has spread in North Korea, Kim Jong Un in poor health

Tokyo has "suspicion" about the North Korea leader's health, defense minister Taro Kono tells foreign press

The Japanese government believes recent belligerence by North Korea could be explained by the spread of COVID-19 in its territory, poor health on the part of leader Kim Jong Un, and other economic factors, the country's defense minister said Thursday.

Speaking at an English-language press briefing at the Japanese Foreign Correspondents Club, Taro Kono said that Japan, in conjunction with the U.S. and other countries, was actively exchanging information on North Korea’s “strange” recent actions.

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