[Weekender] North Korea’s COVID-19 narratives as told through Rodong Sinmun

North Korea’s state-run daily can be surprisingly forthcoming, to an extent, in its COVID-19 coverage. But their facts are cherry-picked, and science reporting sprinkled with half-truths or downright inaccuracies. The Rodong Sinmun acknowledges the possibility of another wave in the months to come, while simultaneously depicting the omicron variant as somehow less threatening -- and as something that may signal a positive turn in the pandemic. In discussions of vaccines, the emphasi

June 4, 2022

N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases under 100,000 for 4th day

North Korea reported more than 80,000 new fever cases Friday, with the daily count remaining under 100,000 for the fourth consecutive day. Over 82,160 more people showed symptoms of fever over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. It provided no further information regarding additional deaths. The total number of fever cases since late April came to over 3.91 mill

June 3, 2022

N. Korea's new suspected COVID-19 cases under 100,000 for 3rd day

North Korea reported over 96,000 new fever cases Thursday, with the daily tally remaining under 100,000 for the third consecutive day. More than 96,610 people showed symptoms of fever over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. It provided no further information regarding additional deaths. The total number of fever cases since late April came to over 3.83 million

June 2, 2022

US will again push for tougher sanctions if N. Korea conducts nuclear test

The US warned on Tuesday that it will seek to introduce tougher sanctions if North Korea conducts a nuclear test despite the continued stonewalling from China and Russia. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield clarified that the Biden administration will continue to push ahead with its initiative to hold North Korea accountable for conducting weapons tests in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. “We absolutely will,” Thomas-Greenfield said du

June 1, 2022

N. Korea's food shortages estimated at 860,000 tons: CIA data

North Korea is in urgent need of food imports or assistance as many of its people continue to suffer from food shortages and malnutrition, with the gap estimated at 860,000 tons, data from the US intelligence community showed Tuesday. The country's food gap is equivalent to around two to three months of food use, with the woes deepening in the midst of economic constraints attributable to its ongoing antivirus fight, according to the data posted on the online World Factbook of the US Centra

May 31, 2022

Fever cases back to rise above 100,000 in N. Korea after discussion on revising curbs

North Korea’s suspected new COVID-19 cases on Sunday rose above 100,000 after the country discussed potential adjustments to antivirus measures and reportedly lifted lockdown restrictions in the capital Pyongyang. The state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters reported around 100,710 more people with feverish symptoms in the 24 hours up to 6 p.m. on Sunday, North Korea’s state media reported Monday. The total caseload of fever cases came to 3,549,590 as of Sunday afternoon,

May 30, 2022

N. Korea touts progress in handling COVID-19 pandemic, but prepares for another wave

North Korea has touted progress in curbing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, but admitted that the country is bracing for another wave of infections that could stem from the spread of new variants. The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee on Sunday convened a consultative meeting at the headquarters of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang under the guidance of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the state-run media including the Korean Central News Agency reported

May 29, 2022

N. Korea reports 89,500 new fever cases

North Korea's daily new suspected COVID-19 cases stayed below 100,000 for the second straight day, according to its state media Sunday. More than 89,500 people showed symptoms of fever over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. It again gave no information on whether additional deaths were confirmed. The total number of fever cases reported in the country sin

May 29, 2022

NK's new fever cases fall below 100,000: official data

   North Korea's daily new suspected COVID-19 cases dropped below 100,000, according to its state media Saturday.    More than 88,520 people showed symptoms of fever over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters.    It marks a 20,560 decrease from a day earlier, it added without giving information on whether additional deaths were co

May 28, 2022

China supplied over 2,800 tons of refined oil to N. Korea in March, April: UN report

China exported around 2,838 tons of refined oil to North Korea in March and April this year, according to data that the country provided to the UN Security Council (UNSC). Beijing supplied Pyongyang with 15,947 barrels, equivalent to 1,914 tons, in March and exported another 7,695 barrels, or 923.8 tons, last month, showed a related update posted on the UNSC's sanctions committee on North Korea. The total figure represents about 5 percent of the volume of refined oil it can supply to the No

May 27, 2022

N. Korea reports one new death amid COVID-19 outbreak

North Korea reported over 100,000 new suspected COVID-19 cases and one additional death Friday. More than 100,460 people showed symptoms of fever and one death was reported over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. The total number of fever cases since late April came to more than 3.27 million as of 6 p.m. Thursday, of which more than 3.03 million have recovered

May 27, 2022

US, China must work together on N. Korea, other global issues: Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday urged Beijing to work with the US on global issues, including North Korea, as he laid out US policy toward China and its intensifying power competition. The top US diplomat insisted the two powers must cooperate on vital global issues including North Korea despite their differences. "On non-proliferation and arms control, it's in all of our interests to uphold the rules, the norms, the treaties that help reduce the spread of weapons of m

May 27, 2022

US, S. Korea working to find right strategy for dealing with N. Korea: US official

The United States and South Korea are working to find the "right mix" of tools to address the North Korean issue, a senior White House official said Thursday. Edgard Kagan, special assistant to President Joe Biden and senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council, also said the countries have no illusions that there is a magic solution to the challenges posed by North Korea. "We have no illusions that there is a magic sort of solution to any of this,&q

May 27, 2022

US continues to support COVID-19 aid to N. Korea despite ‘escalatory actions’

The Biden administration continues to support providing COVID-19-related humanitarian assistance to North Korea despite the country’s continued ballistic missile launches and its “escalatory actions,” a senior official at the US State Department said Wednesday. Mark Lambert, deputy assistant secretary of state for Japan and South Korea, said the US is “alarmed by the serious outbreak of COVID-19” in North Korea during a press briefing. The Biden administration i

May 26, 2022

Signs of continued activity spotted at N. Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex: report

North Korea appears to be continuing operations at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex with signs of some facilities even being expanded, a North Korea information provider said, citing recent satellite imagery. The assessment came amid concerns the recalcitrant and unpredictable regime may carry out another nuclear test in the near future. Commercial satellite photos taken from April 27 through May 14 of the site, north of Pyongyang, indicate ongoing operations at its 5 MWe reactor as well as exp

May 26, 2022

N. Korea's state media silent about missile launches

North Korea's state media outlets remained silent Thursday about the previous day's launch of three ballistic missiles, including an apparent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). As of 9 a.m., the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Korean Central Television and Rodong Sinmun, the daily of the country's ruling Workers' Party, had made no mention of the launches, which marked the North's 17th show of force this year. The South's Joint Chief

May 26, 2022

N. Korea reports no new deaths for 3rd day amid COVID-19 outbreak

North Korea reported no new deaths for the third consecutive day and over 105,000 new suspected COVID-19 cases Thursday amid its virus outbreak. More than 105,500 people showed symptoms of fever, but no deaths were reported over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. The total number of fever cases since late April in the nation, with a population of 24 million, ca

May 26, 2022

Family files for release of records on North Korea’s killing

The family of Lee Dae-jun, the man killed by North Korean soldiers at sea about a year and a half ago, filed for the release of information now archived as presidential records on Wednesday. “The court sided with the family last November, and ordered Cheong Wa Dae to release the information on the case,” the attorney representing the family, Kim Ki-yun, told reporters outside the Presidential Archives building in Sejong, North Chungcheong Province. “But Cheong Wa Dae appea

May 25, 2022

N. Korea fires suspected ICBM, 2 ballistic missiles after Biden’s Asia trip

North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile and two other ballistic missiles toward the waters off its east coast early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, just one day after US President Joe Biden wrapped up his first trip to Asia. 　 A total of three ballistic missiles were launched from the Sunan area in the capital city of Pyongyang at around 6 a.m., 6:37 a.m. and 6:42 a.m., respectively, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. North Ko

May 25, 2022

N.Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles after Biden’s first trip to Asia

North Korea fired three consecutive ballistic missiles toward the East Sea early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, just one day after US President Joe Biden wrapped up his first visit to Asia. The three ballistic missiles were launched from the Sunan area in the capital city of Pyongyang at around 6 a.m, 6:37 a.m. and 6:42 a.m., respectively, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. “Our military, in close coordination with the US, is maintaining a ful

May 25, 2022