North Korea identifies ‘alien’ source of COVID-19 outbreak
Christian Fernsby ▼ | July 1, 2022
North Korea said the source of its COVID-19 outbreak originated from citizens touching “alien things” near the South Korean border.Article continues below
The regime said that an investigation commission “scientifically and finally confirmed” that the outbreak originated in Ipho-ri, in the extreme southeast of the country about 9 kilometers from the South Korean border, according to the state news agency KCNA.
“The investigation results showed that several persons coming from the area of Ipho-ri in Kumgang County of Kangwon Province to the capital city in mid-April were in fever and a sharp increase of fever cases (a term used by the regime to refer to suspected cases, given its lack of testing capacity) was witnessed among their contacts and that a group of fevered persons emerged in the area of Ipho-ri for the first time,” it said.
Specifically, the article says that “an 18-year-old soldier surnamed Kim and a five-year-old kindergartener surnamed Wi contacted with alien things in a hill around barracks and residential quarters in Ipho-ri early in April.”
“And they showed the clinic features, to be estimated as early symptom of the epidemic infection, and tested positive for novel coronavirus. Hence, a consensus of views was reached on the cause of the infection by Covid-19,” KCNA said.
The regime suggests that the wave of Covid in the country originated from rubbish or objects that blew in from the South.
It issued “an instruction stressing the need to vigilantly deal with alien things coming by wind and other climate phenomena and balloons in the areas along the demarcation line and borders and trace their source to the last, strengthen the all-people supervision and report system, in which anyone notifies of alien things instantly after seeing them.” ■ What to read next
Governor Tim Walz today announced a new grant to support new farmers in Minnesota.
Latest Nestlé Waters to pay €2 million fine to resolve French mineral water case
Container market braces for ILA strike on U.S. East Coast
Sumitomo completes Greenlink interconnector between Ireland and Wales
Siemens to build first U.S. high-speed rail manufacturing facility in New York, creating 300 jobs
U.S.: Flooding threat and extreme heat
European aviation regulator orders Airbus A350-1000 inspections after Cathay Pacific incident
U.S.: Heat, humidity, severe storms
Bulgaria: EPPO seizes assets in investigation into €2.6 million fraud involving water supply
Heat wave continues over southern Plains in U.S.
UK secures $10.5B Amazon investment
Slovak FM: Russian oil supply to Slovakia secured
U.S. oil rigs number fell by 1
Massachusetts and Rhode Island announce largest offshore wind selection in New England history
Jordan, UAE sign $2.3bln railway deal
Trending Now
Netherlands expands export control measure for advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment
Minnesota Governor announces new funding to expand biofuel availability
Texas to invest record $148 billion in transportation infrastructure
Minister Boissonnault reducing number of temporary foreign workers in Canada
Canada imposes 100 percent tariffs on Chinese EVs
Today We Recommend Highlights
Lidl lays cornerstone for logistics base in Hungary, will create 400+ jobs
Epiphone inspired by Gibson Custom Collection Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V available worldwide
Huawei and partners successfully test new wild fire detection solution in Greece
Siemens Mobility to overhaul Europe’s largest light rail system in €180 million digital upgrade
Polish traveltech giant eSky Group acquires Thomas Cook
MainStreaming appoints Ian Franklyn as CRO
APO Group appoints Bas Wijne as CEO
Rikard Lundqvist new CEO of Optronic
Gabriel Millan joins Mars as CFO for petcare business
Applied Materials appoints Florent Ducrot as head of European operations
Kuwait reports $5.2 bln budget deficit in FY 2023-24
Eurozone reports modest Q1 GDP growth, stable annual inflation
Italy sees faster economic growth in Q1
Slovenia's economy expected to grow 0.9 pct in Q1
Italy faces deficit infringement procedure
Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
Nebraska takes action to address lab-grown meat sales
Russia secures right to export fish to Mexico
Hong Kong suspends import of poultry meat and products from areas in U.S., France and Poland
Panama opens market to Brazilian pork
New Zealand temporarily suspends all Australian imported tomatoes
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
Generating 'buzz' about new products can influence their success
Hiring 'problem directors' can knock up to 64% off firm's value
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
AG Bonta secures $3.9 million settlement with cryptocurrency company Robinhood
Italy issues $6.4 million fine over Chinese cars badged as Italian
EU Commission fines Mondelēz €337.5 million for cross-border trade restrictions
HSBC pays penalties for alleged breaches of Consumer Data Right rules
Magazine
Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
First mpox vaccines arrive in Africa
WHO declares mpox public health emergency, Sweden and Pakistan confirm first case outside Africa
Kenya confirms its first mpox case as virus spreads in Africa
Brazil reports world's first deaths from Oropouche fever
New Alzheimer's treatment approved by FDA
India to build first phase of its own space station by 2028
Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033
Potentially habitable 'exo-Venus' with Earth-like temperature discovered
Rare species of wild bees discovered in Berlin
SLAC completes construction of largest digital camera ever built for astronomy