North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hailed his country's "shining success" in handling COVID-19 pandemic, BBC reported referring to state news agency KCNA.

According to Kim Jong-un, the success in dealing with the virus was "achieved by the far-sighted leadership of the Party Central Committee".

In the meantime, Kim highlighted the importance of maintaining "maximum alert without... relaxation on the anti-epidemic front", as the virus is still present in neighbouring countries. 

"He repeatedly warned that hasty relief of anti-epidemic measures will result in unimaginable and irretrievable crisis," the KCNA noted.

North Korea claimed to confirm no COVID-19 cases.

However, managing editor of specialist news site NK News Oliver Hotham has earlier told the BBC that this is very unlikely.

"It's very unlikely that it has seen no cases because it borders China and South Korea. [Especially with China], given the amount of cross border trade... I really don't see how it's possible they could have prevented it," he said.

"[But] they really did take precautions early [so] I think its possible they've prevented a full on outbreak."