US is willing to send North Korea COVID-19 aid despite Kim Jong Un's vows to ramp up its nuclear program, official says

The Biden administration is willing to provide aid to North Korea as the country faces a major outbreak, according to an unnamed official.

It is our hope that they will make decisions that will allow for the maximum amount of support in this time of need and crisis, according to the official.

The first case of COVID-19 was acknowledged by North Korea last week. The number of cases in the isolated country has gone up.

Kim has vowed to ramp up the country's nuclear weapons program. In March, North Korea tested a new intercontinental missile system.

During a military parade in April, Kim said that they would continue to strengthen and develop their nuclear capabilities.

US and South Korean officials said this week that North Korea could be planning a long-range missile test during President Joe Biden's visit to the South. Biden arrived in South Korea.