Tens of thousands of North Korean workers are believed to live in China, earning hundreds of millions for Pyongyang every year. But Beijing may be planning to repatriate all of them in one fell swoop, a move that could have sweeping implications for bilateral ties and the regime’s efforts to finance its weapons programs.

According to recent reports by South Korean media, China has ordered all DPRK workers to return to their country because their visas either expired or will expire soon.