Mick Hartley

South Korea has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with a number of countries banning all Korean travelers. What about the North, though? They've denied that they have any cases, but they would of course. Rumours suggest otherwise. 

From the BBC:

North Korea is seen as highly vulnerable to infectious diseases, and its healthcare system ill-equipped to deal with them.

So far, the country claims to have no cases of Covid-19 – but some observers are questioning whether that can be true.

Experts say an outbreak in North Korea would be devastating for a population already suffering from malnourishment and poor health.

North Korea has been unusually upfront about the need to prevent the virus spreading, describing it as a matter of "national survival" and urging "revolutionary" measures.

State media and officials have repeatedly stressed there are no cases in the country – while warning they should not let their guard down.

Information is being pumped out almost on a daily basis on the "high-intensity" steps taken to prevent coronavirus – as well as the need to practise responsible hygiene.

Images have been broadcast of workers in protective suits disinfecting public spaces and health workers educating the public on symptoms of the disease.

Premier Kim Jae Ryong has been pictured wearing a face mask while guiding "anti-epidemic" efforts. There has also been heavy coverage of the spread of Covid-19 in China and internationally.

State-run Korean Central Television (KCTV), too, has featured daily broadcasts on the efforts to prevent an outbreak, even running special a programme: "Let us completely block the novel coronavirus".

The brave Supreme Leader, meanwhile, seems to be keeping a low profile. The last update to the Rodong Sinmun's Supreme Leader's Activities was ten days ago.

It's true enough that the state media – along with smug reports of how the disease is spreading in the South – are full of exhortations to wear masks and wash hands and all the rest.

For instance:

The officials and working people across the country are taking part as one in the campaign to curb the spread of the Covid-19.

The Ministry of Machine-Building Industry urges its officials to unconditionally wear masks at the rush time and in the compound and makes it a rule to sterilize offices more than thrice and take their temperatures twice or over everyday. And it enjoins them to wash their hands immediately after using computers.

The Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex normalizes the javellization of the resting rooms of all workteams.

Normalizing "the javellization of the resting rooms of all workteams"??

Well yes: "javellisation" is, apparently, a word – "chlorination of water with Javelle water". And, um, Javelle water? "An aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite used as a disinfectant or a bleaching agent".

So yes – it's all under control. Well, at least in the Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex.