North Korea claims disputed victory over virus, blames Seoul

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By KIM TONG-HYUNG

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In a striking speech before thousands of North Koreans, leader Kim Jong Un’s sister said he suffered a fever while guiding the country to victory over the coronavirus. She blamed rival South Korea for the outbreak and vowed “deadly” retaliation.

Kim Yo Jong, a powerful official in charge of inter-Korean relations, glorified her brother’s leadership during the outbreak in her speech Wednesday at a national meeting where he jubilantly described the country’s widely disputed success over the virus as an “amazing miracle” in global public health.

North Korea’s statements about its outbreak are widely believed to be manipulated to help Kim Jong Un maintain absolute authority. But experts believe the victory announcement signals his intention to move to other priorities and are concerned his sister’s remarks portend a provocation, which might include nuclear or missile tests or even border skirmishes.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday that Kim Jong Un declared victory over COVID-19 and ordered an easing of preventive measures just three months after the country first acknowledged an outbreak.



In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with a health official in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. Kim has declared victory over COVID-19 and ordered an easing of preventive measures. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-south-korea-north-pyongyang-6027e6f79b6f61b3270c923ecb1d647e

[IronLionZion]

1. Without vaccinating their people

good luck.

MAGA Trump supporters should move to NK if they like authoritarianism and no vaccine mandates.

[blugbox]

2. Photo Ops like this are always a crack-up

Look at all those lab coats. All freshly unpacked and full of fold creases.

Remember, we're congratulating scientists here! Scientists wear lab coats! We need lab coats!

Look at all the scientists, Mr. Un!

[Farmer-Rick]

4. Oh yeah, now why hand out

Newly unpacked white lab coats? Weird

[Farmer-Rick]

3. Why is his sister giving the speech????

I thought he supposedly fully recovered from COVID. Why is she still at the helm if he's ok?

I think he may have suffered more damage then they are willing to admit.