"Newborns Missing Anus and Toes"... Mysterious 'Ghost Disease' Spreading in North Korea

Ghost Soldier Daily Testimonies Pour In
North Korean Authorities Only Explain as "Malnutrition"

There have been claims that a mysterious disease causing newborns to be born without an anus, toes, or hands is spreading near the North Korean nuclear test site. It is known that in North Korea, this disease is referred to as the incurable "ghost disease."

On the 2nd (local time), the British media outlet The Sun reported this using statements from Lee Young-ran, who escaped from North Korea in 2015. Lee said, "Before escaping North Korea in 2015, I lived near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, and my son is one of the patients affected by this ghost disease," adding, "In Kilju, it is no exaggeration to say that giving birth to children without an anus, toes, or hands has become commonplace."

She continued, "In North Korea, medicines provided by the United Nations (UN) are hoarded by high-ranking government officials, and contrary to promises of free medical care, pharmacy shelves are empty," she claimed.

This is not the first report on the "ghost disease" within North Korea. In September last year, during the 'North Korea Freedom Week' event held at the Centerpoint Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, defectors from Kilju County, Hamgyongbuk-do, where the nuclear test site is located, including Kim Soon-bok and Nam Kyung-hoon, made similar claims at a press conference titled 'Testimonies of Nuclear Test Damage from Kilju County Defectors.'

Mr. Nam stated, "When the number of patients in the village increased and children with disabilities were born, residents said they were afflicted with a ghost disease," and pointed out, "The authorities did not mention the possibility of radiation exposure but made excuses, saying it was due to poor nutritional status caused by the 'Arduous March'."

Mr. Kim also testified, "Before the soldiers came, it was a good village to live in, but gradually the number of tuberculosis and dermatitis patients increased," adding, "People said they were afflicted with 'ghost disease' and often visited shamans."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification requested the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences in February this year to investigate suspicions of an unknown disease occurring around Punggye-ri, North Korea. They disclosed the results of medical examinations conducted on 80 defectors from eight cities and counties near the nuclear test site (Kilju County, Hwadae County, Kimchaek City, Myonggan County, Myongchon County, Orang County, Dancheon City, Baekam County) from May 15 to November 6 of last year. The results showed that some North Korean defectors from the area near Punggye-ri had chromosomal abnormalities.