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Seoul: North Korea is further tightening restrictions on entering seawater as part of flyovers to combat the coronavirus pandemic, state media said on Sunday (Nov. 29), two days after South Korea said North Korea had banned sea fishing.
Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the country is mobilizing more anti-virus units and taking firm steps to “completely remove uncivilized and unsanitary elements that could help make room for the spread of an epidemic” in winter. Some experts say that the coronavirus can spread more widely during cold weather, when people tend to spend more time indoors.
KCNA said officials were developing strong anti-epidemic measures along border areas to prevent coronavirus from entering the country. In front-line coastal areas, authorities were developing stricter rules for venturing into the sea and collecting dirty materials in the waters, according to KCNA.
READ: South Korea foils North Korea’s attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers
North Korea has maintained that not a single case of the virus has been found on its territory, a claim widely disputed by outside experts. Despite his claim, North Korea quickly sealed its borders, dispatched diplomats and isolated residents with symptoms. A major outbreak in North Korea could have devastating consequences due to its broken healthcare system and chronic lack of medicines.
North Korea has previously mentioned a restriction on entering the sea. Sunday’s report came after South Korea’s spy service told lawmakers on Friday that North Korea’s anti-virus measures included a ban on fishing and salt production in the sea, as well as the closure of the capital Pyongyang, the northern province of Jagang and other areas.
READ: South Korea agency says North Korea executed people and closed the capital
Lawmakers who attended the closed-door briefing also quoted the National Intelligence Service as saying that North Korea executed an official for violating regulations restricting the import of goods in August and a forex trader for a falling exchange rate in October.
Ha Tae-keung, one of the lawmakers, quoted the agency as saying that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is displaying “excessive anger” and taking “irrational measures” over the pandemic and its economic impact.
In September, South Korea accused North Korea of fatally shooting a South Korean fisheries official found in North waters before burning his body apparently in line with an anti-virus policy that involves shooting anyone illegally crossing the border. North Korea later acknowledged and apologized for the killing, but claimed that it only burned his floating device, not his body.
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