When U.S. soldier Travis King sprinted across the border into North Korea from the South, he disappeared into a North Korea that’s become more isolated than ever

During the pandemic North Korea stopped all international travel and most trade, built a lengthy border wall, and even shot some would-be unauthorised border crossers early in the outbreak.

Analysts say Pyongyang is still keenly nervous about border crossings, authorised or not.

King ran over the border while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarised Zone between the two Koreas, and U.S. officials say they have yet to ascertain his fate.

King’s motives remain unclear, though U.S. officials said he was facing military disciplinary action and appeared to have intentionally crossed the border.