Pyongyang announced the first victories over COVID-19, which was not expected to arrive in North Korea until mid-May this year. Propaganda praises the organization of medical assistance and the decline in the number of cases. However, experts emphasize that the official figures may be, to put it mildly, significantly underestimated.
- As COVID-19 became more common in other parts of the world, North Korea reportedly reported its first infections in mid-May
- Since then, the country has already experienced nearly three million cases of “fever” (this is what North Korean patients are called with suspected coronavirus) and 68 deaths
- Now regime propaganda reports successes in the “war” with the “malicious virus” and even a decrease in infections
- Experts do not believe the official message from a country lacking drugs, tests and vaccines. “If the professional opinions of doctors contradict the opinion of the government, they may be sent as punishment to work at a local clinic in a remote area” — reveals the doctor Kim Jee-eun, who escaped from North Korea years ago
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The country of Kim Jong Un has just announced that an epidemic has reached them and is already enjoying victories in the fight against the virus. This is the message of the regime’s propaganda. According to the Pyongyang Times, “the country showed exceptional solidarity and great organization in the anti-epidemic war.” Propaganda reports a decline in the number of cases after the initial jump, an increase in the number of recoveries, and a “positive trend towards disease control”.
State media boasts of anti-Covid policies, information campaigns, volunteers among medicists ready to help, the supply of medicines and food, as well as research to which the population allegedly has access.
So much for propaganda. Experts see the situation in black.
“They want drugs but cannot afford them”
“First of all, North Korea’s biggest problem is the lack of COVID drugs” — Dr. Kim Jee-eun, who fled the country a decade ago, says NK News. «I have no doubt that the regime wants nothing more than drugs, preferably Paxlovid (the first oral drug registered for COVID-19 outpatient treatment). — ed.) of Pfizer. However, they cannot afford it » — he adds.
Due to these deficiencies, herbs such as honeysuckle tea and willow leaves are recommended in North Korea. Kim Jee-eun explains that, for example, honeysuckle helps to relax. But these drugs cannot be called COVID-19.
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“It does not make sense”
However, what puzzles the experts the most are the numbers. Kim Jee-eun believes the actual number of COVID-19 cases may be two or three times greater than the official figure. The country’s COVID-19 fatality rate is officially expected to be 0,003 percent. That would be extremely little.
“One thing is certain: the number of deaths does not reflect reality” — says Kim Jee-eun in an interview with NK News. He also believes that authorities attribute the cause of death to other complications such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, etc., hence the statistics.
Officials in North Korea may face pressure to underestimate the number of deaths. Doctors may be subjected to similar pressure: “If their professional opinions contradict that of the government, they may be sent to work in a local clinic in a remote area as punishment” — explains Kim Jee-eun.
- See also: Coronavirus in North Korea. Kim Jong Un found guilty of the disaster
A scientist dealing with issues related to Korea also pointed to the problem. He tweeted: “Leaving aside a wholly personal view of North Korea, their statistics just don’t make sense. We have tons of comparative examples — the world went through it » — He replied to a tweet from journalist William Gallo, who said that “it does not make sense in a country where mass vaccination has not yet started and where COVID-19 treatment is unknown”.
What about vaccines? North Korean authorities have not responded to vaccine offers from the US, North Korea or the Covax program. Western media reports that the testing system also leaves much to be desired.
See also:
- Gargling and willow tea. This is how North Korea is fighting COVID
- “Disaster” in North Korea. The “elixir of life” appeared in pharmacies