North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un has blasted his top officials
over lapses which caused an unspecified "great crisis" related to
Covid-19, North Korean state media reports.
This is the first time the leader is publicly acknowledging the
country's covid-19 crisis as information that leaves North Korea is
tightly guarded.

North Korea - closed its borders to keep out the virus after
previously insisting it had no Covid cases a claim that was
doubted by health experts.
Last week, Kim admitted there was a "tense" food situation and
told citizens to prepare for the "worst-ever" outcome.
On Monday, North Korean state television aired a rare remark by a
citizen commenting on Kim's "emaciated" look after he appeared
to have lost some weight.
In remarks reported by state news outlet KCNA, Kim accused
senior officials of negligence at a specially convened meeting of
party leaders.

As a result, they "caused a crucial case of creating a great crisis
in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people and
entailed grave consequences".
The report then added that several members of the party had
been recalled including one member from the powerful Standing
Committee - which is composed of five members, including Kim
himself.

Interpreting Kim's remarks , North Korean defector and researcher
Ahn Chan-il told the AFP news that the report meant that the
country was likely to have confirmed Covid cases.
It was also a signal that "Pyongyang is probably in need of
international aid," he said.
"Otherwise they would not have done this as it inevitably involves
acknowledging the regime's own failure in its anti-epidemic
efforts."

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