Report Says North Korea Hid True COVID-19 Data

Intermediate | June 27, 2025

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New Report Reveals Hidden Truths

Introduction to the Report

Hey English learners! Let’s talk about some interesting news from North Korea. A new report came out recently that reveals a North Korea COVID data cover-up during the pandemic. You know, when the coronavirus was spreading everywhere?

What the Report Found

This report, from some research groups in the U.S., talked to 100 North Korean citizens. What they learned really goes against what North Korea’s government told everyone. It seems like the real situation inside the country was much more serious than they let on. The government had strict border closures and rules, almost like putting the country on total lockdown.

What Citizens Experienced

The Official Numbers

The North Korean government famously claimed for a long time that they had zero COVID-19 cases. Later, they admitted to an outbreak but reported a very small number of deaths – just 74. That number seemed incredibly low, especially for a country with limited healthcare resources and a population that wasn’t vaccinated early on.

The Citizens’ Reality

But the people interviewed for this report told a different story. Many of them suspected they or people they knew were infected. They also said they didn’t have access to testing or vaccines. It sounds like people were largely left to deal with the virus on their own. The report calls the government’s actions “negligence,” meaning they didn’t take proper care of their people during a health crisis.

More Than Just Hiding Data

Hidden Motives Behind Strict Rules

The report suggests the strict rules weren’t just about stopping the virus. Some believe they were also a way for the government to control the population more tightly. Because of the closed borders and lockdowns, people faced serious problems, like not having enough food.

The Cost of Misinformation and Fear

This situation created a lot of fear and misinformation. People were afraid to report if they were sick because they worried about being punished or causing trouble for their communities. This actually made the problem worse, as the virus could spread more easily when people weren’t open about being ill. Sadly, some people even died because they couldn’t get proper medical help and tried unsafe “miracle cures.”

Final Thoughts on the North Korea COVID Data Cover-Up

So, this report gives us a rare look inside a very closed country during a global health crisis. It highlights the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens and raises questions about the information shared by the government. The North Korea COVID data cover-up described in this report is a reminder of how transparency is essential during a health emergency.

Vocabulary

Suggests (verb): To say something indirectly; to hint at something.
- Example: “The report suggests the real number of cases was higher.”
Goes against (phrasal verb): Is contrary to; is the opposite of.
- Example: “What they learned goes against the official story.”
Let on (phrasal verb): To reveal a secret or tell something that is not generally known.
- Example: “The situation was more serious than they let on.”
Lockdown (noun): A situation where people are not allowed to leave their homes or a specific area freely, usually because of an emergency.
- Example: “The country was on total lockdown.”
Famously (adverb): Known about by many people.
- Example: “The government famously claimed zero cases.”
Outbreak (noun): A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease.
- Example: “They admitted to an outbreak later.”
Incredibly (adverb): Difficult to believe; extremely.
- Example: “That number seemed incredibly low.”
Access (noun): The ability or right to use or see something.
- Example: “They didn’t have access to testing.”
Negligence (noun): Failure to take proper care in doing something.
- Example: “The report calls the government’s actions ‘negligence’.”
Highlights (verb): To emphasize something or make people notice something.
- Example: “It highlights the difficulties faced by citizens.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What is the main finding of the new report about North Korea and COVID-19?
How did the experiences of ordinary citizens, according to the report, differ from the government’s official story?
Besides controlling the virus, what other reason might the government have had for the strict measures, according to the article?
How did misinformation and fear affect the spread of the pandemic in North Korea?
What does this report tell us about getting information from very closed countries?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why do you think some governments might hide health data during a pandemic?
How important is it for a government to be transparent during a health crisis? Why?
What challenges might people face in countries where information is strictly controlled?
How can international organizations get accurate health information from closed countries?
What are the potential consequences when a government prioritizes control over public health?

Related Idiom

“Sweep something under the rug”

Meaning: To hide something wrong or embarrassing instead of dealing with it.
Example: “The report suggests the government tried to “sweep the COVID-19 data under the rug”.”

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This article was inspired by: The New York Times, Date: June 22, 2025