As Covid spread throughout the world in 2020, North Korea slammed shut its borders. It was an approach that has paid off, until now. No longer Covid-free, the country’s state media has admitted that cases – and deaths – are exploding. Since April, over 1.2 million cases of a ‘fever’ – a euphemism for coronavirus – have been detected. North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-un has said the arrival of the pandemic is a ‘great turmoil’.
Hundreds of thousands of cases – and 19 deaths – were reported yesterday alone in North Korea. In a country that prizes secrecy above all else, the true toll is likely to be even higher. But if North Korea is struggling to draw up a response, the country’s president is clear about one thing: who’s to blame. Kim has pointed the finger for the unfolding disaster at the infected, citing ‘careless’ drug use and a lack of awareness of how to treat the ‘fever’.

Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in