North Korea Deploys Military to Fight 1.5 Million ‘Fever Cases’

Kim Jong Un is facing one of his greatest tests as leader
Country has refused vaccines and is vulnerable to outbreak

Officers from the Korean People’s Army medical units prepare for a deployment to help with the transport of medicine in Pyongyang on May 16.Source: Korean Central News Agency/AP Phtoos

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By Jeong-Ho Lee

May 17, 2022 at 3:16 AM UTC

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Kim Jong Un mobilized North Korea’s military to help fight one of the biggest crises he has faced in his decade as leader, as suspected Covid-19 cases reached nearly 1.5 million in less than a month.

Pyongyang reported 269,510 new “fever cases” and six deaths nationwide in a 24-hour period ending 6 p.m. Monday, the state’s official Korean Central News Agency reported. Since late April 56 people have died.