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Reuters
In North Korea, people are required to wear masks in public places
North Korea has reported what it describes as the first suspected coronavirus case in the country.
The state news agency KCNA said that a person who defected to South Korea three years ago last week and returned through the demarcation line had symptoms of Covid-19.
Leader Kim Jong-un held an emergency meeting with senior officials, imposing a confinement in the border city of Kaesong.
North Korea, a reserved state, had previously said it had no Covid-19 cases, but analysts say this was unlikely.
“An emergency event occurred in Kaesong City, where a fugitive who went south three years ago, a person suspected of having been infected with the vicious virus returned on July 19 after illegally crossing the demarcation line,” KCNA said.
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At Saturday’s politburo meeting, Kim ordered a “maximum emergency system” to contain the virus.
KCNA added that Kim also launched an investigation into how the person had managed to cross the heavily fortified border, warning those responsible that “severe punishment” would be administered.
At the same time, South Korea has not reported illegal crossings of the demilitarized border in recent days.
North Korea closed its borders and put thousands of people in isolation six months ago, when the virus spread across the world.
Earlier this month, Kim praised his country’s “brilliant success” in dealing with Covid-19.
