A North Korean health official disinfects a building in Pyongyang | Image: Rodong Sinmun (Sept. 12, 2021)
North Korea has identified the source of its COVID-19 outbreak, state media reported on Friday, stating an 18-year-old soldier and a five-year-old student contracted the virus in early April after coming into contact with “alien things” near the border with South Korea.
According to the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, health officials stressed the need to “vigilantly deal” with “alien things coming by wind” as well as “other climate phenomena and balloons” along the border. It is the first time the DPRK has identified the cause of its outbreak since announcing it in early May, in what one expert
North Korea has identified the source of its COVID-19 outbreak, state media reported on Friday, stating an 18-year-old soldier and a five-year-old student contracted the virus in early April after coming into contact with “alien things” near the border with South Korea.
According to the Rodong Sinmunnewspaper, health officials stressed the need to “vigilantly deal” with “alien things coming by wind” as well as “other climate phenomena and balloons” along the border. It is the first time the DPRK has identified the cause of its outbreak since announcing it in early May, in what one expert said was likely an attempt to shift blame to Seoul.
Chaewon Chung covers U.S., Chinese, and Japanese politics and national security in relation to North Korea. She previously worked at Coda Story covering disinformation and technology with a focus on the East Asia.
Ethan Jewell is a Seoul-based correspondent for NK News focused on sanctions, trade and maritime issues. He previously worked as an investigations and intelligence specialist for Pinkerton Comprehensive Risk Management and as a research intern for the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies. Follow Ethan on Twitter @EthanJewell