Just a few months ago, the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-Un, was tearful and sorry for his management of the coronavirus pandemic and for its economic impact on the Asian country.
Now, on the other hand, he seems to be executing citizens to avoid contagion, angered precisely by the consequences of the pandemic on the economy.
According to a report by the South Korean spy agency, there have been at least two executions on recent dates: a Chinese person dedicated to currency exchange, and a local official who allegedly violated the rules imposed on imports.
"Kim Jong-un is acting very irrational," South Korean lawmaker Ha Tae-keung told the media, "he is exceeding how he shows his anger and has implemented
measures that do not make any sense
."
Among his recent decisions on the pandemic is a ban on fishing, as reports indicate that Kim seems convinced that the virus could arrive through saline sea water, which is not true.
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And despite the fact that the North Korean population lives almost in famine, according to international organizations and people who have fled the country, Kim rejected 110,000 tons of rice that China sent as assistance.
The reports of the South Korean agency have not been verified by other authorities, although the secrecy of North Korea, where this year also spread the rumor that Kim's sister had succeeded him in power, makes it difficult to know for sure what is happening.
The South Korean spy agency also assured this Friday that
North Korean
hackers
have tried to attack a pharmaceutical company in the neighboring country that seeks to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus.
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Due to the secrecy surrounding North Korea, it is not known exactly how many cases of COVID-19 it has so far, although the dictatorial regime denies there have been any.
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Kim ordered months ago that anyone who enters the country without permission be shot immediately, and decreed the closure of the borders due to the pandemic, which has significantly reduced trade with China.
North Korea relies on such exchanges, especially as the
country faces international sanctions for its nuclear weapons program
and multiple allegations of human rights violations.
Regarding his relationship with the United States, after a rapprochement between the North Korean dictator and outgoing President Donald Trump, reports say that Kim ordered his diplomats abroad to avoid any action that could anger Washington while waiting to see what will be the contact with the president-elect, Joe Biden.
"They have been telling their overseas missions not to say anything in reaction to the elections or give personal opinions," Kim Byung-kee, a congressman from the ruling party in South Korea, told the media.
At other times after a US election, North Korea has even conducted missile tests to try to position itself on the incoming US government's agenda.
With information from AP and The Washington Post