China has given North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and his family an experimental coronavirus vaccine, according to a US thinktank.
Harry Kazianis from the Centre for the National Interest cited two unnamed Japanese intelligence sources when he published the claim in 19Fortyfive.
"Multiple other high-ranking officials within the Kim family and leadership network" were given the vaccine, the report said.
There are several Chinese-made vaccines which have been developed in recent months, though no phase three trial data has been published on any of them.
One of the more likely candidates is one developed by the Sinophram Group, which has already been given to nearly a million people.
Last week Reuters reported hackers from North Korea had attempted a cyberattack on British coronavirus vaccine developer AstraZeneca.
Hackers posed as recruiters on LinkedIn and WhatsApp to approach AstraZeneca staff with fake job offers.
The hackers then sent documents loaded with malicious code designed to give them access to the victims' computers.
South Korean pharmaceutical companies had also been targeted by North Korean hackers.
North Korea has yet to admit to having any diagnosed coronavirus cases in the country, though they have conceded to having suspected infections.
But South Korean spies have said its northern neighbour has banned ocean fishing and locked down its capital, Pyongyang, in an effort to contain the pandemic.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service said Kim is showing "excessive anger" and is taking "irrational measures" in response to the pandemic.
Ocean fishing and salt production has been banned so seawater is not infected with coronavirus, the agency says.
A high-profile Pyongyang money changer was executed after being blamed for a falling exchange rate.
And a key official was executed in August for violating importation restrictions.
North Korea's economy has collapsed this year, with US sanctions compounded by the closure of the border with China.
The reclusive nation is ill-equipped to deal with a pandemic, with its health system already under strain.
In October Kim wept during an address at a Workers' Party military parade, admitting to shortcomings during the country's "grave challenges".
"Our people have placed trust, as high as the sky and as deep as the sea, in me, but I have failed to always live up to it satisfactorily," he said.
"I am really sorry for that.
"Although I am entrusted with the important responsibility to lead this country upholding the cause of the great comrades Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il thanks to the trust of all the people, my efforts and sincerity have not been sufficient enough to rid our people of the difficulties in their lives."
Associated Press reported last week that Kim had ordered diplomats not to provoke the United States, as the regime-friendly Donald Trump is replaced with the much more hawkish Joe Biden.
While Mr Trump and Kim have exchanged "love letters", according to the US president, Mr Biden is far less amicable.
"(Trump's) legitimised North Korea," Mr Biden said during the second presidential debate.
"He's talked about his good buddy, who's a thug."
Last month North Korean state media described Mr Biden as a "rabid dog" who "must be beaten to death with a stick".
Read more: From love to thug, what President-elect Biden means for North Korea
Read more: Kim's sister becomes North Korea's second most powerful person
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