North Korea confirms coronavirus cases in the country days after denials from leader Kim Jong-un
NORTH Korea officials have confirmed the reclusive country does have Covid-19 cases, despite leader Kim Jong-un previously denying it.
People were told in public lectures that confirmed cases of the coronavirus had been discovered in the country as early as the end of March.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Previously though dictator Kim Jong-un in the capital Pyongyang had boldly claimed the communist state had not had any confirmed outbreaks of the deadly virus.
It is thought lecturers, speaking to regional organisations and neighbourhood watch groups, told citizens there had been cases of the virus across the country, according to Radio Free Asia on Friday, citing two sources.
The actual number of cases is not known.
The lecturers reportedly said there had been confirmed cases in Pyongyang as well as the South Hwanghae province and the North Hamgyong province.
With North Hamgyong being in the northeast of the country and South Hwanghae in the southwest, it would indicated just how widespread the virus is in the country.
Although the country had previously denied it had any cases of coronavirus it had still implemented checks and restrictions.
Border checks had been put in place and ordered foreigners from any country that had reported a case of Covid-19 to spend 30 days in quarantine, as well as flying dozens of diplomats out of the country in early March.
Authorities are “looking into whether there is still any space for infectious diseases to enter, in line with the complete blockade of borders, airspace and territorial waters” until the pandemic is under control, state media KCNA said on Saturday.
The state has also been scrambling to build a new hospital as quickly as it could, despite claiming it did not have any coronavirus patients.
Work began on the new general hospital just under a month ago, with Kim ordering it to be completed within 200 days.
At the end of last month The Sun reported more than 100 North Korean smuggling ships were lying anchored offshore over fears they may bring in coronavirus.
most read in world news
Satellite photos showed the huge ghost fleet sitting off the coast – as Pyongyang continued to claim it has no confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Aerial pictures show an “unprecedented number” of ships anchored off the coast – in particular around the ports of Nampo and Chongjin.
Experts said the new measures were likely a reaction to the global outbreak of the coronavirus.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.