Rumors of Over 10 Deaths from Pneumonia in North Korea... North Korean Authorities Say "No COVID Outbreak"

12 Pneumonia and Flu Deaths in Cheongjin, Hamgyeongbuk-do
"Bodies Cremated and Returned to Families as Ashes"
North Korean Authorities Claim "No Infectious Diseases in Our Country"
International Red Cross Officially Requests Sanction Exemption for Quarantine Support

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of North Korea, on the 21st featured an image of medical staff at the Pyonganbuk-do People's Hospital wearing masks and holding a COVID-19 response meeting under the headline "Thoroughly Prevent the Novel Coronavirus Infection - Persistently Conduct Hygiene Propaganda to Avoid Even a Moment of Negligence."

While North Korean authorities continue to insist that there are no cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the country, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on the 20th (local time) that more than 10 North Korean residents in Chongjin City, Hamgyongbuk-do, died from pneumonia symptoms.

RFA cited a local North Korean source saying, "At a hospital in Chongjin City, there was a quarantine commotion, including hastily cremating patients who died of pneumonia and disinfecting the entire hospital."

The source told RFA, "On the 9th, at the 'People's Hospital' in the Pohang district of Chongjin City, patients receiving treatment for pneumonia and flu symptoms died one after another," adding, "With 12 patients dying within two days, the Chongjin quarantine authorities and residents are on high alert."

The hospital broke the usual practice of returning the bodies of the deceased to their families and cremated them on-site, which RFA explained indicates that the deceased died from a highly contagious disease.

Despite reports of confirmed COVID-19 cases and subsequent death reports within North Korea, the North Korean authorities still maintain that there are no outbreaks in the country.

The Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, claimed on the 20th, "Fortunately, COVID-19 infection has not yet appeared in our country." Since first announcing "zero COVID-19 cases" on Korean Central TV on the 2nd, North Korea has maintained this stance.

Recently, even O Chun-bok, the North Korean equivalent of the South Korean Minister of Health and Welfare, appeared on screen personally to emphasize that COVID-19 has not occurred.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also stated on the 19th (local time) that it had been informed by North Korean authorities that there are no COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has officially requested the United Nations to exempt North Korea from sanctions to allow the provision of medical supplies and equipment related to COVID-19 response.

Richard Blewitt, the IFRC's resident representative to the UN, told RFA on the 20th (local time) that the results of the sanctions exemption request would be known by the 26th at the latest.

He explained the reason for the exemption request, saying, "It is to support items requested by the Korean Red Cross and the North Korean Ministry of Public Health, which are engaged in COVID-19 related surveillance, preventive education, awareness raising, and response activities in North Korea."

The requested items for sanctions exemption include protective suits and goggles for quarantine, testing equipment and reagents, and infrared thermometers.

Blewitt said, "Currently, some staff members of the Korean Red Cross have about 10 days left in quarantine," adding, "Although activities are restricted because colleagues are in quarantine, the Korean Red Cross and other UN agencies are doing their best to respond to COVID-19."