In this September 16, 2020, file photo, North Korean army soldiers wearing face masks look at the South side during South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young's visit to Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea. North Korea is further toughening its restriction on the entry to sea as part of elevated steps to fight the coronavirus pandemic, state media said Sunday, Nov. 29, two days after South Korea said the North even banned fishing at sea. (Photo by Park Tae-hyun/Korea Pool via AP Photo/File)





In a photo taken on November 20, 2020, divisions of returning elite party members attend a meeting to pledge loyalty before the portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, upon their arrival at Kumsusan palace in Pyongyang, following their deployment to rural provinces to aid in recovery efforts amid damage caused by a September typhoon. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)





This Saturday, December 26, 2020, satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows crowds of people making human letters at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. The human letters read, “Defend with our lives”. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is facing the toughest challenges of his nine-year rule. His country’s fragile economy was battered this year by pandemic-related border closings and natural disasters. He’s also likely concerned about President-elect Joe Biden’s expected new approach on North Korea. (Photo by Maxar Technologies via AP Photo)





In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Politburo in Pyongyang, Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Kim has reviewed the agenda for a ruling party congress set for early next month, state media reported Tuesday, dispelling outside speculation the North might delay the meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Photo by Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP Photo)





People offer flowers and visit the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il to pay tribute to late leader Kim Jong Il in commemoration of the ninth anniversary of his death in Pyongyang, North Korea on December 17, 2020. (Photo by KCNA via Reuters)





In this photo taken on December 31, 2020, performers dance on a stage during New Year celebrations at Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)





Performers entertain the gathered crowds during celebrations to mark the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Dancers perform during celebrations to mark the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





A fireworks display decorates the night sky to celebrate the New Year, as crowds of people look on, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Exemplary workers during the national flag-hoisting ceremony during celebrations for the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Dancers perform during celebrations to mark the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Dancers perform during celebrations to mark the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Attendees gather to watch a performance during New Year celebrations at Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang on January 1, 2021. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)





Dancers perform during celebrations to mark the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





A man salutes during the national flag-hoisting ceremony during celebrations to mark the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Fireworks explode over Pyongyang during New Year's day celebrations in this photo supplied by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 1, 2021. (Photo by KCNA via Reuters)





People watch the national flag raising ceremony and fireworks display to celebrate the New Year, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Pyongyang citizens visit Mansu Hill to offer bouquets of flowers to the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 9th death anniversary of Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea, on December 17, 2020. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





A fireworks display decorates the night sky to celebrate the New Year, as crowds of people look on, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, early Friday, January, 1, 2021. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)