Easing COVID rules a way for North Korea to project control — including to China



Analysis Easing COVID rules a way for North Korea to project control — including to China Experts say changes may seek to allay public dissatisfaction and convince Beijing to resume cross-border trade Ifang Bremer August 17, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A new North Korean propaganda poster introduced on Aug. 16, 2022 \| Image: KCTV North Korea’s recent decision to roll back most masking and social distancing requirements is likely part of the regime’s efforts to signal it is in control of its outbreak to both its own people and China, experts told NK News. DPRK state media reported on the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, except in border areas, after leader Kim Jong Un claimed last week that the country has “eradicated” the virus. North Korea’s recent decision to roll back most masking and social distancing requirements is likely part of the regime’s efforts to signal it is in control of its outbreak to both its own people and China, experts told NK News. DPRK state media reported on the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, except in border areas, after leader Kim Jong Un claimed last week that the country has “eradicated” the virus. 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

Analysis

Easing COVID rules a way for North Korea to project control — including to China

Experts say changes may seek to allay public dissatisfaction and convince Beijing to resume cross-border trade

Ifang Bremer August 17, 2022

Easing COVID rules a way for North Korea to project control — including to China

A new North Korean propaganda poster introduced on Aug. 16, 2022 | Image: KCTV

North Korea’s recent decision to roll back most masking and social distancing requirements is likely part of the regime’s efforts to signal it is in control of its outbreak to both its own people and China, experts told NK News.

DPRK state media reported on the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, except in border areas, after leader Kim Jong Un claimed last week that the country has “eradicated” the virus.

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.

Easing COVID rules a way for North Korea to project control — including to China

Try unlimited accessOnly $1 for four weeks

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by <img width="226" height="50" class="logo" src="https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/themes/nknews/images/header-logo.png" alt="NK News Logo">

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Ifang Bremer

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by