Kim Jong-un has warned North Korean authorities to prepare for the dangers posed to the country by the coronavirus pandemic and a looming typhoon.

Mr Kim’s appearance at a party meeting comes after widespread speculation over his health.

North Korea has not confirmed any Covid-19 cases and it is thought that a large outbreak would have a devastating effect on the impoverished nation, BBC reported.

Meanwhile Typhoon Bavi is expected to hit North Korea later this week.

Pyongyang for a long time insisted there were no infections in the country, though this was doubted by observers. No cases have been declared, but its media have not repeated the claim for several weeks now.

After a suspected case, there had been a lockdown in one border city near South Korea but the infection was never officially confirmed.