A recent investigation underscores a stark contrast between North Korea's public health claims and the true impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its citizens. The North Korean government had touted its success in combating the virus, asserting that only 74 lives were lost, a statement described as a 'miracle' by officials. However, a report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the George W. Bush Institute reveals a grim reality of widespread death and suffering largely ignored by the regime.
Citing in-depth interviews with 100 individuals in North Korea, the report sheds light on the dire state of healthcare and the country’s refusal to accept international support. The pandemic exacerbated already precarious conditions, as public health systems crumbled under the weight of misinformation and neglect. Report authors noted that health officials feared repercussions for accurately reporting COVID conditions, leading to a culture of silence around illness.
One interviewee recounted the heartbreaking scenario in nursing homes, where increased mortality rates led to a shortage of coffins. Despite global access to vaccines and medical supplies, nearly 90% of those interviewed reported never having been tested for COVID-19. About 40% indicated they had not received any vaccination throughout the pandemic, and an overwhelming majority suspected they or people they knew had contracted the virus.
Citizens faced dilemmas where reporting illness could result in punitive measures, including forced detention, deteriorating food security conditions further negatively impacting an already vulnerable population. As the regime continued to deny the existence of the virus, the suffering of ordinary North Koreans remained largely invisible, hidden behind a false narrative of triumph over a global pandemic.
