The country's official oil imports fell to zero in May due to the pandemic, as the country imposed a crackdown on foreign trade to stem the spread of COVID-19 within its borders

More lines about North Korea, Asia

• Asia

  North Korea

  The country is building a three-mile wall over the unexcavated ruins of a lost medieval city within the demilitarised zone as part of leader Kim Jong Un's aim to 'permanently' cut all ties with South Korea

• Asia

  North Korea

  The country defended its controversial law providing for harsh penalties for consuming foreign media, while admitting to carrying out public executions and imprisoning perpetrators of 'anti-state' crimes

• Asia

  North Korea

  South Korean intelligence claims it has evidence that North Korea is about to send thousands of soldiers to fight against Ukraine alongside Russia; between 8 and 13 October, around 1.500 North Korean soldiers were sent to north-eastern Russia for training

• Asia

  North Korea

  All roads and railways connecting the country with South Korea will be blocked and border defences will be reinforced, due to repeated military exercises south of the border and the presence of US nuclear weapons in South Korea

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