U.S. President Joe Biden says North Korea is yet to respond to his administration’s offer for Covid vaccines despite the rogue nation battling a severe outbreak

North Korean officials say around 2.5 million people have been infected, with residents particularly vulnerable due to low medical supplies and testing capabilities.

Biden says the U.S. has offered vaccines to both North Korea and China and these can be dispatched immediately if required.

North Korea has previously previously turned down offers of vaccines from the global Covid vaccine sharing scheme known as Covax.

State authorities are currently recommending remedies including herbal tea, gargling salt-water and painkillers to treat Covid symptoms.

Meanwhile, leader Kim Jong-Un is accusing officials of failing to distribute national medicine reserves efficiently.