North Korean leader Kim Jong Un thanked medics and soldiers mobilized to help manage medical supplies during the country’s COVID-19 outbreak, delivering an emotional speech at an event on Thursday to celebrate “victory” over the virus, according to state media.

In his remarks, Kim said he felt “empty” after the country issued a nationwide lockdown in May because it was like the whole country had left, and he expressed regret about “not arranging this kind of [victory] meeting earlier.”

“As I stand here today, I think back and reflect on some memories, like when I had to brace myself