KNS/AFP/Getty ImagesTalk about Friday news we never expected to hear.
North Korea announced today that they have created a drug that can allegedly both cure and prevent MERS, Ebola, Sars and AIDS.
According to multiple reports, the claim was made by the official Korean Central News Agency, the country's state news organization.
"Malicious virus infections like SARS, Ebola, and MERS are diseases that are related to immune systems, so they can be easily treated by Kumdang-2 injection drug, which is a strong immune reviver," the agency said.
Per the drug's website, Kumdang-2 is "an herbal medicine extracted from Kaesong Koryo insam (ginseng) cultivated in Kaesong DPR Korea by applying rare-earth molecular fertilizer."
However, in spite of the announcement, no proof of the miracle cure was provided, triggering skepticism among many.
North Korea's claim comes as rival country South Korea is battling an intense outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers). Since the first case was reported on May 20, there have been 166 confirmed cases and the death toll has reached 24.
It was also revealed on Thursday that the first case of Mers has been confirmed in Thailand, making it the 26th country with known cases of the virus since its initial discovery in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
But, despite the virus' spread to Eastern Asia, CNN reports that Kwon Deok-cheol, an official with the Ministry of Health and Welfare leading MERS task force, said on Friday that the disease has "leveled off."
"Looking at the current trend, we have judged that situation has leveled off," said, adding, "But as I've mentioned earlier, we need to watch for further spread."
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization also called the MERS outbreak a "wake-up call."
"All countries should always be prepared for the unanticipated possibility of outbreaks of this, and other serious infectious diseases," WHO stated on their website. "The situation highlights the need to strengthen collaboration between health and other key sectors, such as aviation, and to enhance communication processes."