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Kim Jong Un with mask
Photo: KCNA/AP
For the first time in two and a half months, North Korea has not reported any new suspected cases or cases of illness related to a corona outbreak.
There were no new cases of fever from Thursday to Friday evening, the state media reported on Saturday, citing the Epidemic Prevention Headquarters.
Of the more than 4.77 million cases registered since the end of April, only 204 people were still being treated.
The strictly isolated country had officially confirmed infections with the pathogen for the first time in mid-May and spoke of an epidemic emergency for the state.
Since then, however, it has spoken of "fever cases".
How many of them actually go back to a corona infection is unclear.
According to experts, North Korea does not have sufficient testing capacities.
According to their own statements, however, the authorities are immediately sending “mobile anti-epidemic” and diagnostic teams to regions where fever cases occur in order to carry out PCR tests and antibody tests to determine the cause of the symptom.
All "patients" would be quarantined and treated.
Almost 26 million people live in North Korea.
The World Health Organization (WHO) assumes that there has not been any nationwide vaccination so far.
The largely isolated North Korea is subject to a large number of international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons and missile program.
The population suffers from a food shortage that has been exacerbated by the corona pandemic.
Kim Jong Un threatens South Korea with annihilation
Nevertheless, ruler Kim Jong Un is sticking to his confrontational course.
Only on Thursday did he declare that in the event of military conflicts with the USA and South Korea, the use of nuclear weapons could not be ruled out.
The North Korean army is "thoroughly prepared" for any crisis, Kim said at a celebration of the 69-year ceasefire ending the Korean War, according to state media.
"Our country's nuclear war deterrent also stands ready to mobilize its absolute power faithfully, precisely and promptly in accordance with its mission," Kim said in his speech to veterans, according to KCNA news agency.
He stressed his country's "absolute readiness" to "manage any military conflict with the United States."
In his speech, Kim also attacked South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is taking a tough stance on Pyongyang.
It is "very dangerous and self-destructive" to talk about military action against North Korea, Kim said.
In the event of an attack, he threatened to "destroy" the government and the military in South Korea.
dop/dpa