Seoul - (AFP) - North Korea has ended the mandatory wearing of masks in almost all places, the country's official news agency reported Saturday, days after leader Kim Jong Un declared "victory" over Covid.

"The compulsory wearing of masks has been lifted in all places except for front-line areas and border cities and counties, given that the entire country has become an epidemic-free zone," North Korea's official news agency reported.

And North Korea declared a "brilliant victory" over Covid earlier this week, just months after announcing its first cases in May. Social distancing measures have also been lifted in all regions, except for border areas, according to the agency.

The announcement came after Pyongyang this week accused Seoul of causing an outbreak of the coronavirus in the country and threatened to "eliminate" the South Korean authorities if necessary.

Nevertheless, North Korean authorities have recommended that people with symptoms continue to wear masks, and North Koreans to "stay alert" for "anything abnormal", apparently in reference to balloons being launched from the South.