North Korea denied there were Covid-19 cases in the country for almost 2 years. Just a few months ago, they declared they had an outbreak. After refusing international help, the country is struggling to protect its people. Their latest claim is that the outbreak was caused by ‘alien things’ at the border.
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Blaming South Korea
As reported by The Evening Standard, North Korea is blaming ‘alien things’ coming from the border with South Korea. The country has ordered its population to:
Vigilantly deal with alien things coming by wind and other climate phenomena and balloons in the areas along the demarcation line and borders
However, North Korea at no point directly blamed or named its neighbour, but highly hinted toward them, as defectors—those who abandoned their country or cause in favour of an opposing one—, as well as activists, are known to send over balloons with leaflets and humanitarian aid.
North Korea is blaming its massive COVID outbreak (4.75m cases) on ‘alien things’ picked up by citizens in a province bordering South Korea. The report gets in a swipe at balloons (launched by anti-regime activists), and other things blown in from ROK. https://t.co/uJx4CXNhPi
— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) June 30, 2022
South Korea’s response
Experts in South Korea believe that North Korea is blaming others in order to take the heat off itself and its leadership.
Indeed, Cho Han-bum, an analyst at Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification said, as reported by The Washington Post:
The coronavirus crisis in North Korea gave rise to a wave of public discontent and frustration. Pyongyang is shifting the blame onto South Korea to keep it from being directed at its leadership
Read more:
⋙ Kim Jong-un calls for army to 'go all out' and boost North Korea's defence capabilities
⋙ North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified new illness
⋙ North Korea's reporting of Covid-19 situation 'doesn't make sense', this is why
