Indications suggest North Korea has relaxed its stringent COVID-19 restrictions, with reports emerging of citizens appearing in public without masks. South Korean analysts believe the nation might have officially ended its mandatory mask policy at the start of July.

This observation comes from recent photos published by North Korean state media, specifically the Rodong Sinmun, which show a significant decrease in mask usage since July 3rd. A spokesperson for South Korea's Unification Ministry noted that masks are now seen only in very exceptional circumstances. This shift contrasts sharply with images from late June, where mandatory masking was evident, particularly during a large anti-American rally on June 25th featuring thousands of masked participants. The Unification Ministry speculates that this change is likely driven by practical economic considerations, suggesting that after such a prolonged period of intense COVID-19 measures (nearly three and a half years), there's a practical need for easing restrictions.

While North Korea has not officially announced the change, the visible shift in public behavior, coupled with the analysis from South Korean officials, points towards a relaxation of the long-standing mask mandate.