while the world struggled with COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un The focus was reportedly on fortifying the borders of his country.
What happened: Pyongyang has launched a massive construction project to build or upgrade a border fence, wall and security posts. Satellite imagery analyzed middlebury institute of international studies This confirms the extent of the effort, with accounts from defectors and activists alike, Reuters reported.
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The motive behind this fortification appears to be to maintain a strong control over the flow of information and goods, to prevent foreign elements from entering the country, and to keep the citizens inside.
A South Korean priest said, “The traditional North Korea-China route is now effectively over, unless there is a major change in the situation.”
The clergy and others involved in the sensitive border work spoke on condition of anonymity or partial anonymity because of security concerns and the need to protect their networks, the report said.
why it matters: Amid the global pandemic in 2020, Kim’s regime launched a substantial effort to fortify its borders China And RussiaEffectively blocking routes used by smugglers and defectors, the report said.
According to the report, citing official figures, the number of people who arrived in South Korea last year was just 67, as opposed to 1,047 recorded in 2019. This decline can be attributed not only to the impact of the pandemic but also to the strictures. The report said that restrictions in China, which had already contributed to the declining trend in the number of defectors before the global health crisis.
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