2020 in North Korea

• In Late January, North Korea closes its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

• In early March, according to South Korean media outlet Daily NK, 180 soldiers of the Korean Military had died causing speculation on if the deaths were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
• In March, North Korea launches several missile tests.[3]
• On March 30, the 2020 Summer Olympics in which North Korean athletes were expected to compete in were postponed to summer of 2021 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

• On April 12, Kim Jong Un was reported by Daily NK to have undergone cardiovascular surgery.
• On April 15, North Korea celebrates Day of the Sun. Kim Jong Un is missing from the ceremony.
• On April 21, CNN reports U.S. agencies monitoring intelligence from North Korea said Kim's post-surgery state was in "grave danger".[5]

• On June 15, North Korea demolished a South Korean and North Korean liaison office building located in Kaesong after tensions between North and South Korea rise.[6]
• July 26 – The city of Kaesong is placed under total lockdown after a person is found with suspected COVID-19 symptoms. This is the first suspected case in the country.[7]

On October 10, North Korea unveiled the missile Hwasong-16.[8]

• January 17 – Hwang Sun-hui, North Korean politician, director of the Korean Revolution Museum. (b. 1919)[9]

• April 9 – Won Pyong-oh, South Korean zoologist, born in North Korea and escaped during the Korean War, son of Won Hong-gu. (b. 1929)

• June 9 – Kim Chang-sop, former Vice minister of the Ministry of State Security up until his death. (b. 1949)

• July 10 – Paik Sun-yup, North Korean born, South Korean military officer. (b. 1920)