North Korea’s Kim Jong Un slams officials’ COVID-19 response

On Monday, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un “strongly criticized” Cabinet and public health sector officials for their COVID-19 response, singling out their “irresponsible work attitude.”
The North Korean leader also condemned lapses in legal oversight that resulted in “several negative phenomena in the nationwide handling and sale of medicines.”
North Korea officially announced a COVID-19 outbreak last week. Pyongyang has reported six new deaths and 1.48 million cases of “fever” as of 6 PM on Monday.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol informed the National Assembly on Monday that his government was ready to provide COVID-19 aid to Pyongyang, including vaccines, medical supplies, and healthcare personnel. North Korea is yet to respond to Seoul’s offer.
WHO South-East Asia also offered aid, with regional director Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh stating, “WHO is concerned and ready to support the government and the people of DPR Korea to respond to the pandemic and save lives.”