[Captainpaintball]

How did coronavirus get into a country that was totally closed? OR closed to the point that EVERYONE in contact with foreigners would likely be known and confirmed?

[Paul R.]

As the excerpt explains, COVID-19 probably got into NK before they were even looking for it.

[ETCM]

Well, we know very, very few North Koreans are anywhere close to obese. I wonder if severe malnutrition is a comorbidity? Yup. Malnutrition increases proinflammatory mediator levels and inflammatory cytokines. I am not a doctor, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn, but that sounds double ungood for COVID.

Of course we will probably never know what happened in DPRK beyond statements from the few that escape.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Someone has to smuggle in the Cognac, Rolex watches, Swiss chocolate, etc.

Also, if the conditions are as bad as reported in the NK prison camps, then they could have lost tens of thousands of free laborers.

[Eagles6]

I heard there is a thriving black market, with goods smuggled from Chyna.

For the party elites, of course.

Peasants have no money.