People wearing protective face masks walk amid concerns over COVID-19 in front of Pyongyang Station in Pyongyang, North Korea, April 27, 2020. Kyodo via Reuters

North Korea is developing a vaccine for COVID-19 Pyongyang's science research council said Saturday.

According to a report posted on Mirae, the website run by the North's State Commission of Science and Technology, its scientists are currently conducting clinical trials on a vaccine for the novel coronavirus.

The report said the vaccine development was being led by a medical biology institute under the North's Academy of Medical Science using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

North Korea claimed it has confirmed the immunogenicity and safety of its candidate vaccine through animal tests and that clinical trials started this month.

The reclusive state, which has yet to report a single virus case in the country, added that scientists are in discussions on conducting the third phase of the clinical study.

North Korea said the bioengineering branch of the State Academy of Sciences is also conducting research for the development of a novel coronavirus vaccine.

Pundits here, however, cast doubt on North Korea's claims, considering its financial and medical situations. (Yonhap)