Pyongyang stores low on foreign goods amid North Korean COVID-19 paranoia



COVID-19 Pyongyang stores low on foreign goods amid North Korean COVID-19 paranoia State media warned citizens against imported items out of fear that they could spread the virus from abroad Jeongmin Kim October 27, 2020 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Rodong Sinmun (Oct. 14, 2020), North Korean quarantine workers disinfecting Pothonggang Seafood Shop in Pyongyang Amid an ongoing, full-scale border lockdown against COVID-19, North Korea on Tuesday warned its citizens against relying on imported foreign goods -- calling the habit a dangerous “disease” that could spread the virus from abroad. Pyongyang’s warning against bringing in foreign goods is not just empty words, either: On Monday, sources told NK News that supermarkets and shops in Pyongyang have lacked foreign-sourced staples for months, including coffee, cocoa and chocolate. This appears to be out of paranoia that foreign goods could carry traces of COVID-19 — which is possible, according to the United Nations, though not the most common way the virus has been transmitted worldwide. Amid an ongoing, full-scale border lockdown against COVID-19, North Korea on Tuesday warned its citizens against relying on imported foreign goods -- calling the habit a dangerous “disease” that could spread the virus from abroad. Pyongyang’s warning against bringing in foreign goods is not just empty words, either: On Monday, sources told NK News that supermarkets and shops in Pyongyang have lacked foreign-sourced staples for months, including coffee, cocoa and chocolate. This appears to be out of paranoia that foreign goods could carry traces of COVID-19 — which is possible, according to the United Nations, though not the most common way the virus has been transmitted worldwide. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

COVID-19

Pyongyang stores low on foreign goods amid North Korean COVID-19 paranoia

State media warned citizens against imported items out of fear that they could spread the virus from abroad

Jeongmin Kim October 27, 2020

Pyongyang stores low on foreign goods amid North Korean COVID-19 paranoia

Rodong Sinmun (Oct. 14, 2020), North Korean quarantine workers disinfecting Pothonggang Seafood Shop in Pyongyang

Amid an ongoing, full-scale border lockdown against COVID-19, North Korea on Tuesday warned its citizens against relying on imported foreign goods -- calling the habit a dangerous “disease” that could spread the virus from abroad.

Pyongyang’s warning against bringing in foreign goods is not just empty words, either: On Monday, sources told NK News that supermarkets and shops in Pyongyang have lacked foreign-sourced staples for months, including coffee, cocoa and chocolate. This appears to be out of paranoia that foreign goods could carry traces of COVID-19 — which is possible, according to the United Nations, though not the most common way the virus has been transmitted worldwide.