North Korea had military forces on lockdown for 30 days over coronavirus: U.S. general

Reuters

13 March 2020 at 8:25 am·1-min read

Robert Bruce Abrams, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, speaks to U.S. troops, before the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump, in the Osan Airbase

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea had its military forces on lockdown for about 30 days and in one instance did not fly a plane for 24 days, even though it has not confirmed any cases of coronavirus, the head of U.S. forces in South Korea said on Friday.

"Their armed forces has been fundamentally on lockdown for about 30 days and only recently have they started routine training again," General Robert Abrams told reporters at the Pentagon, adding that he was fairly confident the country had cases of the virus.

North Korea, sandwiched between China and South Korea, has not confirmed any coronavirus cases but has stepped up border checks and imposed quarantine measures.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Catherine Evans)

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