China spent nearly USD$2 million importing North Korean iron products in September, trade figures from Beijing’s customs agency show, despite UN measures prohibiting the trade coming into effect early in the month.

Although Chinese imports of raw iron ores did drop sharply following the implementation the UN Resolution 2371 passed in August, iron products in different trade categories appeared to continue.

Chinese interest in North Korean ferro-silicon, an iron alloy, has continued relatively unchanged throughout 2017, earning the DPRK around USD$2 million each month – and September was no exception.

But according to the UN