North Korea appears to lift strict mask mandates as temperatures rise



News North Korea appears to lift strict mask mandates as temperatures rise State media showing citizens without masks since Sunday, though it has yet to report on COVID-19 policy change Colin Zwirko July 3, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Workers at the Munsu Ponghwa Garment Factory were shown without masks on Sunday \| Image: KCTV (July 2, 2023) North Korean authorities appear to have lifted their near-universal COVID-19 face mask mandate over the weekend, according to NK News analysis of state media, becoming likely the last country in the world to do so. Though state media did not announce the change, ordinary people nationwide appearing both indoors and outside in the state TV evening news on Sunday and in photos printed in the party daily Rodong Sinmun on Monday were not wearing masks — a stark change compared to all previous editions dating back to last September. North Korean authorities appear to have lifted their near-universal COVID-19 face mask mandate over the weekend, according to NK News analysis of state media, becoming likely the last country in the world to do so. Though state media did not announce the change, ordinary people nationwide appearing both indoors and outside in the state TV evening news on Sunday and in photos printed in the party daily Rodong Sinmun on Monday were not wearing masks — a stark change compared to all previous editions dating back to last September. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis 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

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North Korea appears to lift strict mask mandates as temperatures rise

State media showing citizens without masks since Sunday, though it has yet to report on COVID-19 policy change

Colin Zwirko July 3, 2023

North Korea appears to lift strict mask mandates as temperatures rise

Workers at the Munsu Ponghwa Garment Factory were shown without masks on Sunday | Image: KCTV (July 2, 2023)

North Korean authorities appear to have lifted their near-universal COVID-19 face mask mandate over the weekend, according to NK News analysis of state media, becoming likely the last country in the world to do so.

Though state media did not announce the change, ordinary people nationwide appearing both indoors and outside in the state TV evening news on Sunday and in photos printed in the party daily Rodong Sinmun on Monday were not wearing masks — a stark change compared to all previous editions dating back to last September.

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