Since North Korea announced its first suspected coronavirus case in April 2020, there has been a lot of speculation about how many cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country. While North Korea has made assertions that there are no cases at all and that they are the only country to have gotten through the pandemic with zero deaths, it’s impossible to confirm the validity of the information due to lack of transparency.
On the surface, the numbers suggested by North Korea do seem plausible. With a population of 25 million people and a closed-off border, North Korea is unlikely to be a hotbed for COVID-19 cases. However, due to the lack of testing and limited contact with the outside world, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty just how many cases have been reported in North Korea.
One way to gain some insight into the number of COVID-19 cases in North Korea is to look at other countries with similar characteristics. For example, Mongolia, a country that borders China and has a population of just over 3 million, has managed to keep the number of confirmed cases of the virus relatively low despite being geographically close to China.
Additionally, due to the country’s strict lockdown policies and surveillance systems, it is likely that North Korea was able to contain the virus more effectively than many other nations. However, due to the country’s lack of international contact and its tendency to deny information to the outside world, it is impossible to say for sure how many COVID-19 cases have been reported in North Korea.
Due to the lack of reliable data from North Korea, it is difficult to provide an exact number of COVID-19 cases in the country. However, it is reasonable to assume that the number of confirmed cases is much lower than in other countries. As North Korea’s borders continue to remain closed and its surveillance systems remain in place, it is unlikely that the number of cases will rise drastically in the near future.
Testing Capabilities
North Korea’s limited testing capabilities are another factor that should be considered when examining the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the country. While North Korea claims to have tested over 40,000 people, these tests are mostly conducted on individuals who have traveled to China, the source of the virus. This means that the number of tests conducted on North Korean citizens is likely to be much lower.
The limited number of tests conducted on North Koreans may be due to the country’s lack of equipment, technology, and medical staff capacity. It is estimated that North Korea has fewer than 100 specialist doctors to take care of a population of 25 million people. This lack of medical infrastructure means that North Korea is unable to conduct a large number of tests on its citizens.
As a result of these limited testing capabilities, it is difficult to get an accurate idea of how many COVID-19 cases have been reported in North Korea. While it is possible that the number of cases is much lower than in other countries, there may also be unreported cases due to the lack of testing and limited contact with the outside world.
Effects of the Lockdown
North Korea has implemented a nationwide lockdown in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. While it is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the lockdown, it has likely had some effect on the number of reported cases. By restricting movement within the country, the government has been able to limit the potential for exposure to the virus.
In addition to the lockdown, North Korea’s government has implemented additional measures to contain the virus. Closed-circuit television surveillance and contact tracing have been used to identify possible carrier’s and take action to prevent the spread. These measures, combined with the strict quarantine protocols, have likely limited the spread of the disease, though it is impossible to say with certainty.
North Korea’s government has also implemented measures to provide relief to the population during this crisis. Food rations have been distributed to those in need and the military has been mobilized to assist in the distribution. Additionally, North Korea has received assistance from aid organizations from neighboring countries, including China, South Korea, and Russia.
While it is impossible to know for sure, these measures are likely to have had an impact on the number of reported COVID-19 cases in North Korea. By taking action to contain the virus, the government has been able to limit the potential for the disease to spread.
Sanctions and the Economy
The current economic sanctions against North Korea have likely limited the country’s ability to acquire medical supplies, technology, and information on treating the virus. Even with assistance from other countries, North Korea may not have access to the equipment and resources needed to effectively combat the disease.
This lack of access to resources has likely had an impact on the number of reported cases in North Korea. Without access to resources and technology, North Koreans may not have been able to detect and diagnose the disease as effectively as in other countries. This could mean that there may be a significant number of unreported cases in the country.
Additionally, North Korea’s struggling economy has put a strain on the healthcare system and limited the country’s ability to take preventative action. Without adequate health infrastructure, it is difficult to combat the disease, meaning that the number of reported cases may be much higher than the government is admitting.
Public Perception
Public perception of the COVID-19 situation in North Korea is another factor that should be considered when examining the number of reported cases. The North Korean government has been criticized for its lack of transparency and its tendency to deny information to the outside world. As a result of this lack of transparency, it is difficult to say with certainty how the North Korean public perceives the situation.
However, North Korea’s citizens are likely to be aware of the potential dangers of the virus, and may be taking measures to protect themselves. As a result, it is possible that the number of reported cases is much lower than in other countries, as North Koreans may be more likely to take preventative action.
The North Korean government has also been criticized for its lack of support for medical staff. Without proper resources and equipment, medical staff in North Korea may not be able to adequately diagnose and treat those infected with the virus. This lack of support could lead to an increase in the number of unreported cases.
Overall, it is difficult to say with certainty how many cases of COVID-19 have been reported in North Korea. While the numbers provided by the North Korean government may be accurate, there is also a possibility that the actual number of cases is much higher than reported due to the country’s lack of testing capabilities, limited contact with the outside world, and lack of resources.
