News that a South Korean citizen was shot, killed and burned after drifting into North Korean waters is shocking — but given Pyongyang’s approach to protecting its borders from COVID-19, it’s certainly no surprise. Similar shootings reportedly occurred on North Korea’s border with China in recent weeks, causing at least one person to die. 

North Korea deployed shoot-to-kill orders at its borders in order to stop any risk of COVID-19 entering the country ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Oct. 10. 

This is likely because DPRK authorities are