Leader Kim Jong Un has ordered North Korea’s military to stabilize the distribution of COVID-19 medicine in the capital, Pyongyang.

 

This is in view of the country’s efforts in the first confirmed outbreak of the disease, state media said.

 

Last week brought the North’s first acknowledgment of an “explosive” outbreak, with experts warning it could devastate a country with limited medical supplies and no vaccine programmed.

 

Drugs procured by the state were not reaching people quickly or accurately, Kim said in an emergency politburo meeting on Sunday, before visiting pharmacies near the capital’s Taedong River, state news agency KCNA said.

 

Kim ordered immediate deployment of the “powerful forces” of the army’s medical corps to “stabilize the supply of medicines in Pyongyang City,” it added.

 

According to the agency, Kim said that although authorities had ordered the distribution of national reserves of medicine, pharmacies have not been well-equipped to perform their functions smoothly.

 

Among their shortcomings was a lack of adequate drug storage, salespeople unequipped with the proper sanitary clothing, and hygiene in their surroundings falling short of standards, Kim said.

 

He also criticized the “irresponsible” work attitude, organization, and execution of the cabinet and the public health sector.

 

Seoul’s unification ministry, responsible for cross-border relations, said that it had proposed working-level talks to provide medical supplies, including vaccines, masks, and test kits, as well as technical cooperation, but that the North had not received its message.

 

The offer came shortly after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would spare no effort to help the North fight its outbreak, saying it was ready to provide COVID-19 vaccines and other medical support.

 

Yoon also said that he would send humanitarian aid without political considerations, while expressing concerns over the North’s recent missile launches and signs of preparations for what would be its first nuclear test since 2017.

 

“If North Korea responds, I would not save any necessary support for medicines including COVID vaccines, medical equipment, and health personnel,’’ he said in a speech to parliament.

 

North Korea’s tally of the fever-stricken stood at 1,213,550, with 50 deaths by Sunday, after KCNA reported 392,920 more cases of fever and eight more deaths.

 

It did not say how many suspected infections had tested positive for COVID-19.

 

The North has blamed a large number of the deaths on people who were “careless in taking drugs” because of a lack of knowledge about the Omicron variant of coronavirus and its correct treatment.