North Korea imposes 5-day lockdown on capital to fight 'respiratory illness'
North Korea on Wednesday implemented a temporary, five-day lockdown on its capital city amid an increase in "recurrent flu and other respiratory diseases," per a North Korean government notice posted on the Facebook account of the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.
According to the notice, the government had imposed a "special anti-epidemic period" until Sunday, during which time foreign delegations are to keep their employees inside, have their temperatures taken four times a day, and call those results in to the hospital. On Thursday, the nation's state media said officials were taking measures to "cope with the daily-worsening world health crisis."
Per The New York Times, Wednesday's government notice failed to mention COVID-19, which the North purports to have eradicated after its first outbreak last year. But outsiders are understandably skeptical of such a claim, considering the poor health of the country's "chronically malnourished people" and the government's continued emphasis on pandemic mitigation tactics, the Times continues. Not to mention the fact that, given its isolation, the nation lacks enough test kits, supplies, or labs to successfully follow or fight an outbreak.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At this point, it is unclear whether the lockdowns extend beyond Pyongyang or are contained to the capital.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Would North Korean weapons tilt the war Russia’s way?
Today's Big Question Putin wants to boost ‘depleted stocks’ but Pyongyang’s arms may be in poor condition
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published