According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the George W. Bush Institute, North Korea's assertion of only 74 COVID-19 deaths is misleading. Interviews reveal widespread suffering and neglect, with many citizens lacking access to essential healthcare during the pandemic.
North Korea's COVID-19 'Victory' Revealed as Falsehood, Says New Report
North Korea's COVID-19 'Victory' Revealed as Falsehood, Says New Report
A recent study casts doubt on North Korea's claims of a minimal COVID-19 impact, highlighting severe mismanagement and loss of life within the country.
North Korea has heralded its alleged success against the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming it lost only 74 lives, framing this as an "unprecedented miracle" in global public health. However, a new report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and the George W. Bush Institute challenges this narrative, asserting that the government significantly understated the severity of outbreaks and fatalities while failing to provide adequate healthcare and support to its people.
The report is based on rare interviews conducted with 100 sources inside North Korea, facilitated through intermediaries who engaged in informal conversations. It paints a grim picture of the country's health crisis, indicating that the pandemic exacerbated existing economic and health issues. According to the findings, the North Korean government's insistence that the virus was not spreading led to a catastrophic lack of necessary healthcare and resources, especially in the initial two years of the pandemic.
Interviewees reported cases of death and suffering due to suspected COVID-19 issues dating back to 2020, well before the country's first reported outbreak in May 2022. One woman described a dire situation in nursing homes, mentioning that “there weren’t enough coffins” to accommodate the deceased.
The report outlined that citizens were virtually without access to vaccines, antiviral treatments, or personal protective equipment, despite these being globally available. Almost 90% of the interviewed individuals had not undergone COVID-19 testing, and a significant portion missed out on vaccinations. A staggering 92 participants believed they or individuals in their circles had contracted the virus, though certainty was unattainable due to the lack of testing.
Government pressure contributed to a pattern of misreporting on health matters. Local health officials and citizens alike feared punitive repercussions for not conforming to the official narrative that claimed there were no cases. For many, reporting sickness led to detention or enforced lockdowns, which exacerbated food shortages already ravaging the population.
The careful orchestration of information by the North Korean government, aimed at maintaining an image of control and success, ultimately had deadly consequences for its citizens who were deprived of essential healthcare during a worldwide health crisis.
The report is based on rare interviews conducted with 100 sources inside North Korea, facilitated through intermediaries who engaged in informal conversations. It paints a grim picture of the country's health crisis, indicating that the pandemic exacerbated existing economic and health issues. According to the findings, the North Korean government's insistence that the virus was not spreading led to a catastrophic lack of necessary healthcare and resources, especially in the initial two years of the pandemic.
Interviewees reported cases of death and suffering due to suspected COVID-19 issues dating back to 2020, well before the country's first reported outbreak in May 2022. One woman described a dire situation in nursing homes, mentioning that “there weren’t enough coffins” to accommodate the deceased.
The report outlined that citizens were virtually without access to vaccines, antiviral treatments, or personal protective equipment, despite these being globally available. Almost 90% of the interviewed individuals had not undergone COVID-19 testing, and a significant portion missed out on vaccinations. A staggering 92 participants believed they or individuals in their circles had contracted the virus, though certainty was unattainable due to the lack of testing.
Government pressure contributed to a pattern of misreporting on health matters. Local health officials and citizens alike feared punitive repercussions for not conforming to the official narrative that claimed there were no cases. For many, reporting sickness led to detention or enforced lockdowns, which exacerbated food shortages already ravaging the population.
The careful orchestration of information by the North Korean government, aimed at maintaining an image of control and success, ultimately had deadly consequences for its citizens who were deprived of essential healthcare during a worldwide health crisis.
