‘Excessive’: North Korea’s COVID curbs blamed for food crisis

North Korea's ramped-up border restrictions have worsened severe shortages of food, medicine and other necessities, according to a report from Human Rights Watch [Google Earth]

North Korea has substantially ramped up border restrictions during the COVID pandemic, worsening severe shortages of food, medicine and other necessities, according to a report from a human rights group.

North Korean authorities have imposed “excessive and unnecessary” border measures since January 2020, including upgraded fences, guard posts and patrol roads, an analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch (HRW) shows.