A "grave incident" related to COVID-19 prevention efforts in North Korea prompted leader Kim Jong Un and top officials to hold an enlarged politburo meeting on Tuesday, according to state media. Senior officials, including a top military figure, were apparently removed from key posts as well.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) report Wednesday lacked details about what exactly occurred but said Kim told the meeting about the "severe consequences" of the mistakes and the "incompetence and irresponsibility" of officials under him.