North Korea Imagines Its COVID Battle Won
On Friday (Aug 5), the isolated country declared that all of its fever patients had recovered — a glorious finish to its first wave of the coronavirus saga. Yet the real story is a bit more tangled: economic woes are deepening, and a largely unvaccinated populace remains hanging on the edge of a next round.
State Media vs. Reality
- State claim: “The anti‑epidemic situation… has entered a definite phase of stability.”
- Reality check: They aren’t exactly gloating. Instead, the North says it will “redouble efforts to keep state anti‑epidemic policies perfect.”
Numbers that Raise Eyebrows
While the regime never disclosed the total number of Covid‑19 cases (you’d need a proper testing kit for that), it did present two figures:
- ~4.77 million fever patients fully recovered.
- Only 74 deaths since late April.
Since July 30, no new fever cases have been reported. Sounds impressive? South Korean experts say otherwise.
South Korean Skepticism
Shin Young‑jeon, a professor at Hanyang University’s medical school, weighed in with a bit of skepticism. “The peak of the first Covid‑19 wave is over, but the reported fatalities are practically impossible,” he pointed out. “There could be up to 50,000 deaths.”
He added that North Korea’s apparent victory might be more about preventing political or social chaos than actually crushing the virus. Whether the response was truly successful remains an open question.
Unification Minister’s Take
Kwon Young‑se, South Korea’s Unification Minister (the dude who deals with inter‑Korean affairs), offered a balanced view: “There are credibility issues with the North’s data, but the Covid‑19 situation seems somewhat under control.” He’s basically saying: “Yeah, they’re claiming some wins, but it’s still a shaky story.”
In short, while the North Korea narrative might look like a triumphant headline, the undercurrent is a mix of cautious optimism, lingering doubts, and the ever‑present threat of the next wave.
Games return
North Korea Turns the Lights On After 3‑Year Lockdown
The Workers’ Party recently rolled the red carpet for a crowd of Korean War veterans in a rare, mask‑free gathering. The event signaled a subtle easing of outbreak protocols, though officials haven’t slapped the full‑scale movement crackdown off the table yet.
Sports & Entertainment Resumes
- Football kicked off its season this week – after a three‑year hiatus.
- Swimming, yachting and bowling leagues also turned back on.
- Most matches were played without on‑site crowds, but a taekwondo bout posted on Monday by Rodong Sinmun showed athletes seated with a respectable social‑distance cushion.
Economic & Health Concerns Remain
Analysts point out that the country still faces looming economic pressure, food insecurity and public‑health challenges. A re‑rise in infections could be yet possible, especially given the recent boom of Omicron sub‑variants across the Asian region.
Kim Jong‑un has kept strict movement restrictions in place and the China border remains locked. Diplomatic missions in Pyongyang are currently empty, and no officials have been traveling abroad.
Local Insights: How North Korea Might Tackle the Bug
- Lim Eul‑chul, a North Korean studies professor at Kyungnam University, believes the region’s “designated doctors” and the socialist system’s tight controls may help spot and isolate new cases quickly.
- Cheong Seong‑chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute, suggests that the reported fever incidents might include many from other seasonal illnesses, pointing to a less severe outbreak than feared.
Food Shortages, By the Numbers
South Korea’s spy agency revealed back in May that waterborne diseases like typhoid or cholera were already thriving in the North before COVID‑19 hit. It signals the local health infrastructure struggles even pre‑pandemic.
Cho Han‑bum, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, argues that Kim Jong‑un may have chosen to aim for herd immunity, especially as food shortages tighten and public sentiment gets louder due to strict locks.
Global Viewpoint
Experts warn that a nationwide lockdown could deepen the North’s dire food situation. The World Health Organization’s June report flagged that the country’s COVID‑19 climate may be deteriorating.
Cho added: “The North could be easing restrictions just to allow people a chance to go out and feed themselves, because the food crunch is reaching a critical point.”
In a world where even standby tickets are coveted, the North’s cautious move could be a dive into relief—or the next step in a precarious dance of health and hunger.
