Reports of North Korean citizens going maskless in large groups indicate the country has rolled back its intense COVID-19 restrictions.

South Korean analysts are speculating that the hermit nation has ended its blanket mask requirements as of the beginning of July. 

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"Photos carried by the Rodong Sinmun show that the wearing of face masks has notably declined since July 3. They are only worn in extremely rare cases," a spokesperson for South Korea's Unification Ministry told the press.

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Group photos released by North Korean state media as recently as the end of June have shown mandatory masking.

Pictures from an anti-American rally on June 25 show thousands of citizens masked during political demonstrations.

Unification Ministry officials suspect the decision was made for practical, economic reasons.

"After carrying out intensive COVID-19 measures for nearly 3 1/2 years, it can be presumed there is a realistic need to ease this," the official said.