New reports were released by China which indicate that the country seems to have taken the United Nations recommendations to heart and has stopped most of its fuel-related exports to North Korea.
North Korea is accused by the UN on multiple grounds, most notably for its continuing missile tests and nuclear program. 2017 has been an especially big year for North Korea as they launched many missile tests and for a while send the world on edge as Kim Jong-un was having a media duet of offenses with US President Donald Trump. The increased tensions with North Korea led to new, more severe sanctions against those who choose to trade with the isolated state.
Due to this, China seems to have stopped most of its exports to North Korea. Over the past two months it did not export any oil or gas to its southern neighbour. China also didn’t import any iron or coal from North Korea.
This is certainly affecting the North Korean economy, since the country is so isolated that it relies almost completely on China for trade partnerships. With increasing pressure from the UN and gradually losing support from China, North Korea might become less of a threat.
