CINA

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Authorities in North Korea have suspended all trade with China in an attempt to prevent the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus into the country...(RFA, 1.29)

Cross-border train routes to North Korea from China and Russia have closed in recent days, state media reports from both countries’ state media indicated on Friday and Monday, as Pyongyang steps up efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus into the DPRK....(NK.News, 2.03)

The spread of the novel coronavirus is expected to leave a heavy blow on the North Korean economy. Typically, trade between North Korea and China decreases due to seasonal factors at the beginning of the year, so the immediate impact might not seem significant. However, if the spread of the new coronavirus is prolonged, it could restrict trade, tourism and humanitarian aid from China, adding to the burden on the already difficult North Korean economy...(Kyunghyang Shinmun, 2.04/more you can read here)

Related articles:
☞ Residents Begin to Panic as Border Shutdown Blocks Chinese Imports... (RIG, 2.03)
☞ N. Korea enhances restrictions on foreign residents... (NK.News, 2.04)
☞ Chinese in Rason SEZ Moved to Isolated Island... (RFA, 2.04)

PS. Today's Rodong Sinmun stated the following: An intensive work to prevent the novel coronavirus infection from flowing into our country is being conducted in all parts of the DPRK, upholding the noble intention of our Party which gives priority to the security of people’s life...

Exactly! As you can read/see here: Thousands of Schoolchildren from across the country who participated in an expedition to trace the course of the 250 mile-journey for national liberation arrived in Phophyong...(Rodong Sinmun, 2.04)

And as you can see here...

...not even one of them is wearing a face mask(to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus)!

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The National Hygienic and Anti-epidemic Center under the Ministry of Public Health in the DPRK takes strict measures for preventing the infection of new coronavirus (source: KCNA, 2.02)

It seems that there's at least one positive side-effect: North Korea has called a temporary halt to the repatriation of defectors from China, days after it suspended all train and air travel to and from the neighboring country...(source: K. Herald, 2.03/more you can read here)

In plain English: N. Korean refugees, currently hiding/staying in China are able - at least for the next few weeks - to avoid forced repatriation, the following interrogation(incl. torture), labor (aka concentration)camp or execution!!

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