N. Korean leader says his country faces 'great turmoil' due to COVID-19 spread

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, May 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Saturday reported 21 additional COVID-19 deaths, with more than 174,400 people nationwide feverish, as its leader Kim Jong-un stated that his country is faced with "great turmoil due to the spread of the virus.

Pyongyang's state media released the updated tally compiled the previous day, after Kim presided over an early-morning politburo meeting.

Kim was quoted as saying that the spread of the malicious coronavirus is "great turmoil since the country's founding."

A total of around 524,440 people in North Korea have shown symptoms of fevers between late April and May 13, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Among them, 243,630 have been completely cured, with roughly 280,810 being treated, it added.

On Thursday, the reclusive North announced its first outbreak of COVID-19 since January 2020.

julesyi@yna.co.kr
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