N. Korea, after harsh 2-year lockdown, slowly reopens border

By KIM TONG-HYUNG
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — After spending two years in a strict lockdown while COVID-19 spread around the world, North Korea is apparently easing its severe border controls to nurse a desperately broken economy. The reopening for railroad freight from its ally China came amid weapons tests and a veiled threat about resuming tests of nuclear explosives and long-range missiles. The contrast of opening the border while also launching weapons to pressure Washington to reopen nuclear negotiations likely signals a realization that the nation badly needs to win outside economic relief. The border reopening also raises questions about how North Korea will start an immunization campaign.