Emergency due to "first" cases of covid-19 in North Korea 2:16
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) --
Three North Korean cargo planes flew back to China on Monday as the country battles a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak, according to a Korean government official. South with information on this matter.
The planes traveled to Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, in China's northeast Liaoning province, the official said.
The world's hidden pandemic
What the planes were carrying is unknown, but the strange trip came after China pledged to help North Korea with its Covid-19 outbreak, which experts have warned could cause a major humanitarian crisis in the isolated and impoverished nation.
Members of the North Korean medical section distribute medicine at a pharmacy in Pyongyang on May 18.
Covid-19 outbreak in North Korea
North Korea officially confirmed its first cases of covid-19 last week.
Previously, it had not recognized any cases and had kept its borders tightly closed since January 2020.
Since May 12, North Korea has reported nearly two million "fever" cases, with state media calling it a "major national emergency" as authorities try to come up with a response.
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All cities have been confined and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has mobilized the army to try to ensure the supply of medicines in the capital, Pyongyang.
Chinese Support
After the first cases were announced, China said it was ready to lend its full support as "comrades, neighbors and friends" of North Korea.
The two countries have "a good tradition of helping each other," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Throughout the pandemic, China has shipped millions of doses of vaccines around the world, in addition to striking deals last year with the international vaccine exchange program COVAX to provide more than 500 million vaccines.
The director of the WHO was lapidary with China's "zero covid" policy: It is unsustainable
North Korea has not yet established a vaccination program against covid-19, leaving its population vulnerable, according to the World Health Organization.
The country's deteriorating health system also lacks the medicines and supplies needed to combat a Covid-19 outbreak.
The situation has sparked alarm among international organizations, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warning Tuesday that the outbreak — and the restrictions in place — could have "a devastating impact on human rights in the country."
Human Rights Watch has also expressed concern, urging the UN and governments around the world to "make every effort to persuade North Korea to allow foreign humanitarian assistance."
The South Korean government says it has offered aid to North Korea, including drugs, vaccines and other medical supplies, but has yet to hear back.
Cargo planeChinaCovid-19