The total value of China-North Korea trade in May rose 2.6-fold from April to 63.31 million dollar (6.8 billion yen), of which 90% was exports from China to North Korea, according to Chinese customs authorities. This shows that trade is recovering after a halt caused by North Korea closing its border in late January when the new coronavirus hit China.
It has been pointed out that North Korea's increased military pressure on South Korea was caused by a shortage of supplies in the country due to the blockade of its border. It is possible that the Xi Jinping administration, which attaches importance to the stability of the Korean Peninsula, has begun to support North Korea.
Satellite images released Tuesday by U.S. intelligence site 38 North show about 20 trucks headed toward North Korea. The images of the Dandong customs area in Liaoning Province in the border region with North Korea were taken on June 15.
North Korea remains vigilant against the spread of the virus, and a North Korea-China trader said, "When a Chinese truck enters North Korea, the driver does not leave the vehicle, and North Korean personnel unload it." The transport of food such as rice by ships is believed to be increasing, suggesting that food aid to North Korea -- which is not included in the trade statistics -- is being provided.
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, "China has consistently wanted to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," after North Korea blew up the South-North joint liaison office in Kaesong, southwest of South Korea, on June 16 in response to defector groups in South Korean distributing leaflets criticizing Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea.
China is believed to have urged North Korea not to take further action.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
