Kim Jong Un praises North Korea's COVID response

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his country's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, describing it as a "shining success".

The state news agency, KCNA, said on Friday (July 3) that Kim made the comments at a meeting of the politburo of the ruling Workers Party of the North.

He said North Korea had, quote, "maintained a stable anti-epidemic situation despite the worldwide health crisis, which is a shining success achieved".

He also warned against self-complacency or relaxation in the anti-epidemic effort, and urged North Koreans to maintain "maximum alert".

According to the World Health Organization, North Korea has reopened schools but kept a ban on public gatherings and made it mandatory for people to wear masks in public places.

The reclusive country hasn't confirmed any COVID-19 infections.

Its public health ministry has reported that all 922 people checked so far have tested negative.

Hundreds of people, mostly cargo handlers at seaports and land borders, are regularly quarantined for monitoring.