North Korean women escort a Korean War veteran | Image: KCTV (July 23, 2022)
Less than three months into North Korea’s first-known COVID-19 outbreak, the true virus situation in the country remains as unclear as ever. And evidence suggests limited testing capacity, not to mention likely state media obfuscation, will keep it that way for the foreseeable future.
Authorities have sent mixed messages about COVID-19. On the one hand, state media has all but declared victory over the virus, reporting declining cases and an unrealistically low death total despite few vaccinations and decrepit health care infrastructure.
On the other hand, the country trumpets ever-strengthening measures against COVID-19 variants
Less than three months into North Korea’s first-known COVID-19 outbreak, the true virus situation in the country remains as unclear as ever. And evidence suggests limited testing capacity, not to mention likely state media obfuscation, will keep it that way for the foreseeable future.
Authorities have sent mixed messages about COVID-19. On the one hand, state media has all but declared victory over the virus, reporting declining cases and an unrealistically low death total despite few vaccinations and decrepit health care infrastructure.
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