Seoul: In an unexpected move, North Korea has canceled its first international commercial flight since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to state media reports.

The scheduled flight was set to depart from Pyongyang to Vladivostok, Russia, on Monday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited the cancellation as being "due to the current situation," without specifying further details about the reasons behind the decision.

While the exact nature of the "current situation" remains undisclosed, the cancellation could be linked to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Although North Korea has officially reported no cases of the virus, it is widely considered to be one of the nations most susceptible to its spread.

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The scrapping of this flight is a setback for North Korea, which has been striving to reopen its borders and reinstate international travel. The country had allowed a limited number of flights to resume in recent months. However, this abrupt cancellation implies that North Korea remains cautious about the risks posed by the pandemic.

The flight's cancellation also bears economic repercussions for Russia, as it heavily depends on tourism from North Korea. Russia maintains diplomatic relations with North Korea, and the cancellation of the flight could potentially contribute to further isolating the reclusive nation.

The rescheduling of the flight remains uncertain, as North Korea has not disclosed any plans in this regard. The episode underscores the intricate challenges North Korea faces as it endeavors to reopen its borders and restore international travel. 

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The nation is still grappling with controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, and the timeline for a full resumption of its border operations remains unclear.

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This canceled flight serves as a reminder of the extensive isolation that North Korea has self-imposed over decades. The nation's seclusion from the global stage has made its reintegration into the international community a complex and uncertain journey, the timeframe for which remains uncertain.