NORTH KOREA — That's some swift justice.
A North Korean official has been introduced to the 'land of the not living' for going to a public bath when he was supposed to be under quarantine after coming back from China.

The trade official was quarantined under a policy that isolates anyone who has been to China or had contact with Chinese people; the country has taken measures to almost completely shut China off, with flights being reduced and road and rail links either closing or being heavily restricted.

North Korea's supreme ruler, Kim Jong-un has vowed to "rule by military law" against anyone who leaves quarantine without approval.

According to a South Korean outlet, the trade official was promptly arrested and then immediately dealt with.

World Health Organisation officials based in Pyongyang have not confirmed any cases; despite this, some South Korean media outlets have reported multiple cases and even possible deaths in the North.

State media report that the country's Red Cross Society has been deployed to monitor people with possible symptoms.

North Korea's KCNA report that the Red Cross Society is conducting 'information activities' in public places to introduce common medical knowledge. They say they want to encourage people to "give fuller play to the noble moral traits of helping and leading each other forward."