On July 26, North Korea said that a man, who had left the country three years ago and illegally arrived back on July 19, was suspected of being infected with COVID-19. The man was detained in Kaesong and his coronavirus test was uncertain.

Later, North Korean media reported that the country had not still confirmed any COVID-19 cases.

However, Kaesong was fully isolated, and the North Korean authorities declared a state of emergency in the city.