As most of the world eases COVID-19 controls, North Koreans appear to be wearing more masks and have even started sticking mysterious accessories on them in recent weeks, according to NK News analysis of state media.

More and more people in the isolated country have appeared wearing large colorful stickers and clips attached to their masks as authorities maintain tight masking and social restrictions, though their purpose or function remains unclear. 

The trend began in mid-January in Pyongyang, as the city was preparing to put on a large-scale military paradeinvolving tens of thousands of people and just ahead of