N. Korean leader Kim Jong-un condemns medication supply issues at Politburo meeting; More than 390,000 suspected COVID-19 cases reported on Monday
김정은, 코로나 폭증에 "약 제때 공급 안돼" 질타… 北 유증상자 39만여명, 사망자 8명
Turning to the COVID-19 situation in North Korea.
The regime is now seeing its number of cases skyrocket,... coming in at almost 4-hundred-thousand on Monday.
With the North's handling of the virus coming under fire, Kim Jong-un has lashed out at officials over medical supply issues.
Pyeongyang has also reportedly asked China to help.
Song Yoo-jin reports.
COVID-19 continues to take a toll on North Korea.
The North's National Emergency Quarantine Command Center confirmed on Monday... that 3-hundred-92-thousand-9-hundred-20 new suspected cases of the virus was reported on Sunday.
There were 8 additional deaths, to bring the total to 50.
However, figures for tallies could be underreported due to shortage in testing equipment.
Amid the escalating number of infections,... the regime's leader Kim Jong-un criticized the supply of medication to pharmacies during a politburo meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea on Sunday.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim reprimanded relevant officials for the delay in supplying previously ordered medication and for failing to regulate increased stockpiling and illegal distribution of medicine.
The KCNA added that Kim laid out fresh virus prevention measures during the meeting, including mobilizing troops to stabilize medical supplies in the capital, Pyeongyang.
Meanwhile, in an effort to contain the virus, Pyeongyang has reportedly asked Beijing for anti-virus supplies.
According to sources familiar with North Korea-China relations on Sunday,... relevant discussions are currently underway, although no further details were given.
China has previously said it will immediately provide assistance upon the North's request.
The border between the two countries remains closed to contain the virus, but could reopen for supply shipments.
However, despite attempts to curb the spread of COVID-19, forecasters say that Pyeongyang could ultimately fail in their efforts.
An analysis by CNN on Sunday local time pointed to a lack of health care infrastructure and testing equipment in the North which could hinder it from treating a large number of patients suffering from an infectious disease.
It added the regime possesses one of the world's most fragile public health systems and a widely unvaccinated population paints a grim picture of the future there.
Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.
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2022-05-16, 12:00 (KST)
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