Kim Jong-un ‘seals off major city’ sparking rumours North Korea DOES have coronavirus or tyrant is planning major event

KIM Jong-un’s decision to shut off access to a major city in the north east of North Korea has raised fears that coronavirus is in the country.

Residents living nearby Rason have reportedly said they suspect the city has either been hit by Covid-19 — or Kim is about to visit and make his second public appearance after going AWOL for 20 days.

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A resident of the province, speaking under the cover of anonymity, told US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Asia: "Since early this month, the authorities have blocked the public from entering the city, making it difficult for many of us.

"Not only train passengers, but also residents travelling by land were screened and blocked from entering.

"Many of the residents suspect the closure of the city might be coronavirus related, but the government has not divulged any reason for banning entry.

"Even when the coronavirus was at its worst in China, access to Rason was not fully controlled.

"We don’t know the reason why they are suddenly blocking entry."

North Korea claims to be free of the virus, but it has shut its border with China and toughened quarantine rules.

It was previously reported Kim fled Pyongyang to stay at his luxurious beach retreat in Wonsan because of an outbreak.

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Other rumours stated some of Kim's inner circle had contracted the killer virus, prompting his flight from the capital into seclusion.

North Korea however insists it still has zero cases of the coronavirus, which if true would make it one of the few nations in the world untouched by the pandemic.

Last week Kim sent a special message to President Xi Jinping praising Beijing's "success" in stemming the spread of coronavirus.

He sent the direct message in a dispatch to the Chinese leader hailing his country's efforts battling the outbreak, reported the Korean Central News Agency.

Others believe the decision indicated Kim could be about to paying a visit to Rason.

The source said: "Some residents say that they could be planning a Number One event there.

"There’s no clear reason yet, though. The authorities have shut down entry to the city but have not explained in detail how long the city will be closed.

"This is causing further inconvenience."

Rason residents are still allowed to travel to and from the city but only if they have the correct paperwork.

The source said: "In the train, the police and inspectors are frequently checking travel passes and tickets.."

Rason is located close to the borders with China and Russia, roughly 60 miles from port of Vladivostok.

Large numbers of residents regularly cross to do business in both countries. 

The city is located in North Hamgyong province, within the Rason Special Economic Zone, which was created in 1992 to boost foreign investment.