North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has ordered his forces to “eliminate” cats and pigeons as he believes they are spreading Covid-19.
The 37-year-old tyrant declared war on the animals, because he fears they are bringing the deadly virus across the border from China.
Authorities in towns and cities along the border have been seen shooting at birds and searching for cats and owners who refuse to give them up.
In Hyesan, which is near the border, a family was recently placed in an isolation facility for 20 days for raising a cat, Daily NK reports.
It comes after an order was issued to “catch and eliminate pigeons and cats” in North Korea as part of a wider effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Earlier this month, it was revealed North Korea’s dictator has reportedly banned the use of Chinese medicine at major hospitals across the country after the death of an official.
The bureaucrat, who was in his 60s and suffering from a heart-related illness, is said to have been popular with Mr Jong-un, who became North Korea’s Supreme Leader in 2011 after the death of his father Kim Jong-il.
North Korea claims to have suffered no confirmed cases of Covid-19 during the pandemic, but is promoting medicines made domestically as foreign treatments are widely unavailable due to sanctions imposed by the United Nations.
It has been a busy month for the despot, who has outlawed skinny jeans and mullets in his latest efforts to keep young people under control and stop the “invasion of capitalistic lifestyle”.
He is believed to be increasingly anxious about being overthrown and has previously decreed that people found embracing outlandish fashions should be sent to labour camps.
State newspaper The Rodong Sinmun said the country could “collapse” if eccentric haircuts and tight trousers are allowed.
It wrote in an editorial at the weekend: “History teaches us a crucial lesson that a country can become vulnerable and eventually collapse like a damp wall regardless of its economic and defense power if we do not hold on to our own lifestyle.”
A North Korean man was recently executed by firing squad in front of 500 people for illegally selling music and films.
Authorities branded the man, whose surname is Lee, as an “anti-socialist element” for trading the videos that included dramas and movies from South Korea and he was killed last Thursday, a Daily NK source said.
His family were forced to stand in the front row of the crowd of 500 people to see the execution in Wonsan, Gangwon province – 40 days after he was arrested.
In another report, the state news said dozens of children from two orphanages have “volunteered” for hard labour in coal mines and farms to repay “the love” showed by the ruling party.
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