North Korea's exports of iron ore to China have surged dramatically despite fresh UN Security Council sanctions against the North in April, Voice of America reported Thursday.
| China says one thing and does another. I know you're surprised by this... |
Quoting data from the Korea International Trade Association, VOA reported that Chinese imports of North Korean iron ore increased 67 percent on-year from April to August. In April, Beijing banned trade of 25 items like iron ore, coal, aviation fuel and rocket fuel with the North.
But it allows import and export of goods necessary for people's livelihood, and the drastic increase in iron ore trade shows how China and the North are taking advantage of loopholes and exceptions.
| And the Chinese need for iron ore... |
Overall trade of banned items between the two countries, however, dropped 8.1 percent on-year. China's exports of aviation and rocket fuel to the North fell 16 percent.
"The sanctions against the North are kicking in to some extent, but in many cases like the iron ore trade, it's taking advantage of loopholes," a government official here said. "They must be plugged in a fresh round of sanctions that is being discussed at the UNSC." |