For fear of entering people infected with the Coronavirus

North Korea has ordered the shooting to death of those crossing its border

North Korea is establishing a buffer zone with China, fearing entry to people with "Covid-19".

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North Korean authorities issued an order to shoot to death at those crossing its borders from China, for fear of entering people infected with the Coronavirus, according to the commander of US forces in South Korea, Robert Abrams.

Abrams said, during his participation in a hypothetical conference organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, that Pyongyang had established "a new buffer zone at a distance of one or two kilometers, at its border with China."

"They have deployed North Korean special operations forces there (...) and this strike force has orders to shoot to death," he added, on those trying to cross this area.

Pyongyang closed its borders with China in January, in an attempt to prevent the entry of injured people.

In July, state media reported that the state of emergency had been raised to its maximum level.

Abrams indicated that the closure of the borders "accelerated the effect" of the sanctions imposed on North Korea, due to its nuclear program, as its imports from China decreased by 85%.

The isolated nuclear state is also suffering the repercussions of the "Maesak" hurricane, which caused the destruction or flooding of more than 2000 homes, according to official media reports.

Regarding this situation, Abrams does not expect any major provocations on the part of Pyongyang in the near future, pointing out that it may suffice to present a new weapons system during the celebrations scheduled for next month, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Kim Jong Un party.

He said, "The system, at the present time, focuses mainly on the country's economic recovery and mitigating the risks of (Covid-19)."

He added, "We do not see, at present, any indication of any kind of attack."

However, the Center for Strategic and International Studies published, on its website, a satellite image of the "South Sinpo Shipyard" in North Korea, which the center's experts believe shows activity that may indicate preparations for testing a ballistic missile launched by a submarine.

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