North Korea declares a Covid “victory”

North Korea has lifted its Covid-19 measures, as state media reports the situation is back under control

North Korea has largely avoided the worst of Covid-19 but a rise in cases earlier this year prompted authorities to act.

State media reports the nation’s leader, Kim Jong-Un has since declared a “victory” over the recent surge.

This is despite data from the World Health Organisation recording zero cases of Covid-19 for North Korea.

Authorities believe the recent outbreak was caused by propaganda leaflets flying across from South Korea.

It’s understood Kim Jong-Un is vowing a “deadly retaliation” over the alleged spread of the virus.

However, South Korea’s Unification Ministry labelled Pyongyang’s “groundless claims” as “rude and threatening”.

At a speech in front of unmasked officials, the leader said he had experienced Covid-19 symptoms himself.

North Korea does not have a national Covid-19 vaccine program in place. Instead, the nation of nearly 26 million people relies on lockdowns and a range of domestic medicines.