Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters). -North Korea has increased its production of medical supplies and drugs, including sterilisers. The country is fighting an unprecedented coronavirus epidemic. This was reported by state media KCNA on Thursday.

The country has imposed a lockdown across the nation and increased production of traditional Korean medicines to lower fever and pain. KCNA stated that they are “effective in preventing or curing the malicious disease.”

The North Korean government confirmed a massive COVID wave last week. It has raised concerns about a shortage of vaccines and medical resources, while the U.N. human right agency warned of dire consequences for 25 million of its citizens.

According to KCNA, at least 262,270 people had fever symptoms and one person was still dead as of Wednesday night. This is citing data provided by the state epidemic prevention headquarters. However, it did not say how many had become positive.

North Korea currently has 1,978,230 fever-stricken people and 63 fatalities. The country also enforced strict antivirus policies.

Factories continue to produce more medical supplies, including injections, medicine, and thermometers, in Pyongyang’s capital. In addition, there are more isolation wards being built and more disinfection work is intensifying around the country.

According to KCNA, “Thousands upon thousands of tons of salt were transported urgently to Pyongyang City in order to make antiseptic solutions.”

These reports were issued after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized inefficient distribution of drugs, and criticised officials’ “immature” responses to the epidemic.

The state media has encouraged patients not to have a nationwide vaccination campaign nor COVID treatment. Instead, they encourage them to take painkillers and antibiotics along with unverified home remedies such as drinking willow tea and lonicera japonica.

Seoul’s deputy national safety advisor stated that the United States and South Korea offered assistance to North Korea in fighting the epidemic, sending aid as well, but they have yet to receive a reply.

According to a diplomatic source, however, the three North Korea Air Koryo planes arrived in China Monday and were carrying supplies for medical treatment.