Vigilance urged by DPRK top leader after case found

PYONGYANG — Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, urged the public on Thursday to implement “maximum emergency” prevention measures after the first COVID-19 case in over two years was confirmed, reported the official Korean Central News Agency.

According to the report, Kim told an emergency politburo meeting that “the goal was to eliminate the root within the shortest period of time”.

The meeting was convened after samples taken from patients sick with fever in the capital Pyongyang on Sunday were “consistent” with the virus’ highly transmissible Omicron variant.

The KCNA described it as “the most severe national emergency incident”.

At the meeting, Kim called for tighter border controls and lockdown measures, telling citizens “to completely block the spread of the malicious virus by thoroughly blocking their areas in all cities and counties across the country”.

He also asked officials to prevent transmissions and eliminate the infection source as quickly as possible.

The DPRK has taken strict measures to ward off the pandemic by closing its borders soon after the outbreak and had not confirmed a single case of the coronavirus until Thursday.

Backing from China

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday at a regular news conference that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and have a tradition of mutual assistance.

Since the outbreak of COVID19, the DPRK has been firmly supporting China in its fight against the coronavirus, for which China is deeply grateful. China stands ready to provide its full support and assistance to the DPRK in its fight against the virus, Zhao said.

The Republic of Korea’s presidential office expressed willingness to provide humanitarian assistance to the DPRK after it confirmed the first COVID-19 case, Reuters quoted the ROK’s Newsis News Agency as saying.