North Korea accused of using virus to crack down on rights

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2020, file photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Politburo in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim ordered at least two people executed, banned fishing at sea and locked down capital Pyongyang as part of frantic efforts to guard against the coronavirus and its economic damage, South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.(Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

FILE - In this June 3, 2020, file photo, Kim Song Ju Primary school students have their temperatures checked before entering the school in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, lambasted South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha for questioning the North’s claim to be coronavirus free, warning Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020 of potential consequences for the comments. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin, File)

Members of North Korea's military divisions attend a meeting to pay respect to late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2020, file photo, North Korean army soldiers wearing face masks look at the South side during South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young's visit to Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea. North Korea is further toughening its restriction on the entry to sea as part of elevated steps to fight the coronavirus pandemic, state media said Sunday, Nov. 29, two days after South Korea said the North even banned fishing at sea. (Park Tae-hyun/Korea Pool via AP, File)