China Sent 1,498 Tons of Refined Oil to North Korea in July... Half the Amount Compared to Last Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The amount of refined oil supplied by China to North Korea in July was recorded at half the level of last year.

According to the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee on the 28th, the refined oil sent by China to North Korea in July amounted to 1,498 tons, which is 55% of the 2,724 tons during the same period last year. Compared to 1,007 tons in June, it increased by about 50%. Russia, which also supplies refined oil to North Korea, has not yet reported its supply volume for July.

As a result, the total refined oil supplied by China and Russia to North Korea from the beginning of this year to July was 17,000 tons, only half of the 34,000 tons during the same period last year. This is largely attributed to North Korea's border closure to prevent the influx of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Changes in the pattern of refined oil supply have also been detected. According to the report, while North Korea imported refined oil from both China and Russia last year, this year there were cases of supply from only one source. In April, North Korea imported 2,885 tons of refined oil from Russia.

The UN Security Council, through Resolution 2397 adopted in 2017, limits North Korea's annual refined oil supply to 500,000 barrels. It also requires monthly reporting of the refined oil supply sent to North Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.