N.Korean Border Guards 'Under Shoot-to-Kill Orders'

North Korea has given live ammunition to border guards and ordered them to shoot anyone who comes within 1 km of the border with China to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Radio Free Asia claimed Wednesday.

The regime seems to be terrified of the virus to the point of refusing outside aid despite an imminent food shortage and devastation from recent floods.

"Police in the city of Hoeryong issued an emergency notice from the Ministry of Social Security, saying they would kill anyone within 1 km of the North Korea-China border regardless of their reason for being there," RFA quoted a source in North Hamgyong Province as saying Wednesday. The order "will be in effect along the entire North Korea-China border until the coronavirus pandemic ends."

The source said police are telling the public that "the enemy" is trying to "infiltrate" its borders with the virus.

The order was also given to the provinces of North Pyongan, Chagang, and Ryanggang and the notice was read by officials in front of residents, RFA said.

Meanwhile, the official Rodong Sinmun called Wednesday for haste in completing a general hospital in Pyongyang, a coal power plant in North Hamgyong Province, and flood damage restoration within deadlines set by the Workers Party.

"The biggest enemy... is weakness of spirit and dependence on others," the daily screamed.