North Korean leader declares shining victory over Covid

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday declared a "shining victory" over Covid-19, after officials reported no new cases of the virus for nearly two weeks.

Presiding over a meeting with health workers and scientists, Kim announced a "victory... in the war against the malignant pandemic disease," according to the government news agency KCNA.

The isolated country, which has maintained a rigid coronavirus blockade since the start of the pandemic, announced an Omicron outbreak in the capital Pyongyang in May and activated a "maximum emergency epidemic prevention system".

North Korea refers to "fever patients" rather than "Covid patients" in case reports, apparently due to a lack of testing capacity.

Since July 29, Pyongyang has been reporting new no cases of the virus.

According to KCNA, Kim said "the victory gained by our people is a historic event that once again showed the world what the greatness of our state, the indomitable tenacity of our people and the beautiful national customs we are proud of".

At the end of Kim's speech, "the participants raised thunderous cheers of 'Hurrah!' repeatedly, recollecting in tears the great exploits and devoted service for the people he has made to bring about a shining victory to be etched in history".

Kim also held a photo session with the attendees and senior officials, which filled them "with great excitement and joy".

North Korea has recorded nearly 4.8 million infections since late April, with just 74 deaths for an official fatality rate of 0.002 percent, according to KCNA.

The country has one of the world's worst healthcare systems, with poorly equipped hospitals, few intensive care units, and no Covid-19 treatment drugs or vaccines, experts say.

In contrast, South Korea -- with its advanced healthcare systems and highly vaccinated population -- has a reported Covid fatality rate of 0.12 percent, according to official data. - AFP