COVID-19
News and analysis about COVID-19 in and around North Korea
North Korean citizens returning home for first time since 2020: State media
Quarantine awaits citizens from China as DPRK reveals major step toward post-pandemic normalcy to domestic readers
North Korea has registered for Asian Games in China, organizers confirm
Sports competition in fall would be DPRK’s first of pandemic, though it skipped an Olympic qualifier after registering
What to make of conflicting signs about a North Korean border reopening
Uptick in specific rumors suggests DPRK preparing to eventually end COVID controls, but timing remains in question
Chinese ambassador thanks North Korea for allowing ‘special’ entry in March
Remark appears to confirm DPRK made one-off exception to COVID controls to allow Wang Yajun to take up post in Pyongyang
Russian envoy to North Korea says diplomats preparing to leave, cites shortages
Alexander Matsegora throws cold water on rumors of imminent border reopening, decries ‘isolation’ and ‘health problems’
North Korea unlikely to follow China and reopen borders to tourism, experts say
Travel industry insiders say Pyongyang still fears COVID and may seal borders to visitors for at least another year
What North Korean media accidentally revealed about Pyongyang’s secret lockdown
State media did not report on recent emergency measures in capital, but photos help confirm what went unacknowledged
3 years into pandemic, fears mount that North Korea is teetering toward famine
Experts say food insecurity appears to be worst in decades, but DPRK’s COVID isolation obscures situation on the ground
North Korea lifts lockdown in capital five days after ‘rising’ illness warning
State media remains silent on Pyongyang quarantine measures as preparations for military parade ramp up
Why North Korean state media remains silent about the Pyongyang lockdown
Regime may feel it can downplay restrictions for now, but a serious COVID outbreak could quickly change the calculus
