North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / Yonhap

North Korea has remained unresponsive to South Korea's proposal for working-level consultations on helping the neighboring country in its fight against a COVID-19 outbreak for the third straight day, a ministry official here said Wednesday.

The Ministry of Unification had sought to deliver a message to Pyongyang, Monday, through its liaison office calling for the talks and offering assistance with medical supplies for the North, known for its dilapidated medical system.

The two Koreas held a routine phone call at 9 a.m. Wednesday, but the North did not say whether it would accept the message, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

US concerned about COVID outbreak in North Korea, no delay in nuclear test expected: State Dept. 2022-05-18 09:48  |  North Korea Noth Korea's Kim faces 'huge dilemma' on aid as virus surges 2022-05-18 11:19  |  North Korea North Korean leader criticizes problem in early response to COVID-19 crisis 2022-05-18 09:47  |  North Korea "Nothing noteworthy was exchanged (during the call)," the official said.

As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, North Korea, with a population of 24 million, had reported more than 1.72 million "fever cases" and 62 fatalities. (Yonhap)