A North Korean trade official was shot and killed after visiting a public bath while he was meant to be in quarantine for a coronavirus precaution, according to South Korean media.
According to reporting from the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper and the Daily Mail, the trade official had been placed in quarantine after travelling to China.
HIs execution came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a decree that the country would “rule by military law” against anyone who left quarantine without approval. It has been reported that the hermit country, keen to avoid the virus at all costs, is isolating anyone who has travelled to China or has had contact with Chinese people.
North Korea has closed off its border with China, and has severely limited travel between the two countries. Pyongyang announced that quarantines for certain individuals will last 30 days instead of the usual 14.
Punished
This is not the first time a person in Kim Jong-un’s government has been executed. It has been reported that in 2014 O Sang-hon, the former deputy public security minister, was executed with a flamethrower. It has also been reported that Kim Jong-un has executed multiple officials using anti-aircraft guns.
North Korea has not yet confirmed any cases of the coronavirus within its borders, and World Health Organization officials in Pyongyang say they are not aware of confirmed cases. However, some South Korean media outlets have reported multiple cases of the coronavirus and possible deaths within the country.
