MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Russia is prepared to promptly consider any North Korean requests for help in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in the republic, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

Pyongyang is well aware of the availability of vaccines against the coronavirus in Russia and the country’s extensive experience in fighting the virus and mobilizing the healthcare system, Peskov said.

"So, if Pyongyang files corresponding requests, they will be considered promptly," the Kremlin spokesman said when asked by a TASS reporter. Peskov added he was unaware of any such requests.

More than 18,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in North Korea, according to earlier reports. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday that the country had detected its first case of the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, also known as stealth Omicron. The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party convened a meeting that was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who ordered a nationwide lockdown.