North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is deploying the military to help fight the corona outbreak in his country. The military must manage the distribution of medicines in the capital Pyongyang. The leader decided this during an emergency meeting of the politburo, state media report.
The order comes after the country has last week recognized that an “explosive” corona outbreak is underway. So far 50 people have died. This morning, the North Korean government announced that nearly 400,000 new cases have been reported since yesterday. For two years, the country has denied that the coronavirus exists in the country.
Kim from criticism
Kim criticized the approach of his health services to contain the corona outbreak during a meeting with the top of the communist party yesterday. “Cabinet and public health officials responsible for supplies have not rolled up their sleeves,” state news agency KCNA is quoted as saying.
The government had ordered the distribution of drug reserves. But Kim said the drugs made available by the state don’t reach people well through the pharmacies.
That is why the North Korean leader ordered the army to manage the supply of medicines in Pyongyang. “The powerful forces must stabilize the supply immediately,” he said.
South Korea offers aid
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said this morning that the country will do everything it can to help North Korea. “If North Korea responds to our support, we will not spare resources, including vaccines, medical equipment and health personnel,” Yoon said in a speech at the National Assembly plenary.
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