Chinese refined oil exports to North Korea rose in value in June, hitting their highest levels since August last year, trade figures compiled by the ITC Trade Map show.

North Korean imports of the UN restricted commodity from its neighbor rose to over $3 million in value, up from $2.5 million in May.

UN resolutions currently limit the amount of refined and crude oil member states can export to the DPRK, with annual caps set at 500,000 barrels and 525,000 tonnes respectively.

But the DPRK imports are still only a fraction of pre-sanctions levels, with combined reported