중국, 북한에 진단장비 지원...고위인사•의료진 방북설은 확답 회피

China says it has sent COVID-19 testing kits to North Korea.
However, regarding the rampant speculation over North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's health, Beijing insisted it had no information to give.
Yoon Jung-min reports.
Despite North Korea insisting there have been zero COVID-19 infections within its borders, China's foreign ministry revealed Monday that it has sent COVID-19 testing kits to North Korea, without mentioning how many or when they were sent.
"After the COVID-19 epidemic, international organizations such as the Red Cross have provided support for epidemic prevention for North Korea. China has also provided some test kits for North Korea just in case."
Asked about reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is gravely ill and whether Beijing has sent a delegation and medical experts to Pyeongyang,... the foreign ministry said it had no related information to offer.
China has reportedly sent a delegation and dozens of medical experts to North Korea,... but it's unclear whether this was to help Kim or help North Korea fight the coronavirus.
The spokesman flatly refused to comment on the speculation swirling around Kim's health or whether they have sent such a team to Pyeongyang.
"I want to say that I don't know the source of the information. I have nothing to offer in terms of the detailed question you asked."
North Korea has been tightlipped on the rumors that Kim is seriously ill following a botched surgery.
Fueling the rumors is the fact that Kim has not been seen in public for weeks.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.