Kim Jong-un presides over politburo meeting

Seoul, Nov 16 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party in his first public appearance in 25 days and discussed nationwide anti-coronavirus measures, state media said on Monday.In a report, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that during Sunday's meting, Kim discussed "Covid-19 and the state anti-epidemic situation and clarified the tasks for the Party, military and economic fields to further tighten the emergency anti-epidemic front".He also stressed "the need to keep a high alert, build a tight blocking wall and further intensify the anti-epidemic work, being aware of the important responsibility for the security of the state and the well-being of the people", Yonhap News Agency quoted the KCNA report as further saying.This marked Kim's first reported public appearance since he was reported on October 22 to have visited a cemetery in South pyongyang Province for fallen Chinese soldiers that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free but has stayed on high alert since earlier this year, when it closed its borders and enforced anti-virus measures.
--IANS ksk/