"North Korea Likely Had COVID-19 Patients Since 2020," North Korean Medical Expert

Interview with Kyungsoo Ahn, Director of the Korea Unification Medical Research Center, on RFA

North Korean citizens are walking down the street wearing masks. Photo by Rodong Sinmun, Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A North Korean medical expert has analyzed that there were likely COVID-19 patients in North Korea since the outbreak period in 2020.

On the 20th, Ahn Kyung-soo, a North Korean health medical expert and director of the Korea Unification Medical Research Center, stated in an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA), a U.S.-based North Korea specialist media outlet, "I actually believe that North Korea had patients from the outbreak in 2020."

He analyzed, "When General Secretary Kim Jong-un was conducting on-site guidance at the traditional stilt houses along the Taedong River in Pyongyang, strangely, his closest aides were wearing masks," adding, "I believe reports had already reached the top leadership from early April."

Director Ahn speculated, "North Korea has relatively well controlled, managed, and treated the situation, but during that time, variant viruses emerged, and there are various possibilities such as the spread of 'stealth Omicron'."

Regarding some media reports describing the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea as a 'disaster,' Director Ahn said, "I absolutely cannot agree." He added, "I don't think the situation is that severe. Although I don't fully trust the numbers North Korea announces, by separating statistics on fever patients, recovered patients, and those in isolation treatment, it seems possible to grasp the current situation to some extent."

He continued, "We need to consider that North Korea is currently in a transitional season," and argued, "Given that the announced numbers show not many deaths, control seems to be relatively well maintained."

Director Ahn said, "The number of fever patients will continue to increase, and the number of recovered and isolated patients will also rise," adding, "From North Korea's perspective, it is true that treatment and isolation facilities are currently relatively insufficient."

However, he anticipated that North Korea would not accept South Korea's offer of quarantine support. He said, "From North Korea's standpoint, even if they receive vaccines immediately, it will take quite a long time. Therefore, it seems more advantageous for North Korea to receive oral antiviral treatments. There is a possibility they will not respond to vaccine support."