The value of Chinese exports to North Korea rose to their highest levels since late 2017, prior to the passage of UN Resolution 2397 which contained additional tough restrictions on the DPRK’s trade.

May figures from Beijing’s customs agency compiled by the ITC Trade Map show that Chinese exports to the DPRK rose to $258.2 million, the highest recorded figure since November 2017.

Prohibitions in Resolution 2397 – passed in December 2017 – covered numerous high-value DPRK imports, including machinery and electrical items which between them were formerly among the North’s most demanded commodities.

The ban has had