[The Washington Post] How the few freedoms North Koreans enjoyed have vanished since the pandemic

On April 7, 2025 The Washington Post reported on the drastic restrictions faced by North Koreans since the pandemic. Hyesan city, once known for its relative openness compared to other parts of the country, exemplifies this transformation.

Hanna Song, Executive Director of NKDB, commented on this shift :

“Hyesan was once a rare opening, but draconian covid-era restrictions have slammed it shut, dragging the country backward by decades. Now, North Korea is more isolated and restrictive than ever”.

To read the full article, you can click HERE.