Published by
Reuters
Reuters
By Hyonhee Shin and Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s coronavirus outbreak threatens to deepen its already dire food situation this year, as a nationwide lockdown would hamper ongoing anti-drought efforts and the mobilisation of labour, analysts said. The isolated North confirmed on Thursday its first COVID-19 outbreak since the pandemic emerged more than two years ago, declaring the “gravest national emergency” and imposing a national lockdown. The outbreak came as the country steps up an “all-out fight” against drought, with leader Kim Jong Un warning of a tense food situation d…