A flight attendant inside an Air Koryo plane in Sept. 2012 | Image: Eric Lafforgue
The North Korean government appears to be putting an end to its rigorous three-year implementation of the world's strictest quarantine policy.
Signs of this shift became apparent in late July when high-level Russian and Chinese dignitaries made their way to Pyongyang. The thaw continued as North Korean athletes traveled via China to participate in the International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships in Kazakhstan.
The North Korean government appears to be putting an end to its rigorous three-year implementation of the world's strictest quarantine policy.
Signs of this shift became apparent in late July when high-level Russian and Chinese dignitaries made their way to Pyongyang. The thaw continued as North Korean athletes traveled via China to participate in the International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships in Kazakhstan.
Get the Daily Update
Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –
Andrei Lankov is a Director at NK News and writes exclusively for the site as one of the world's leading authorities on North Korea. A graduate of Leningrad State University, he attended Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University from 1984-5 - an experience you can read about here. In addition to his writing, he is also a Professor at Kookmin University.