North Korean trade with China reached the highest level in more than three years in January, recent trade data shows, while increased food shipments in the first two months came amid reports of widespread food insecurity and even starvation in the DPRK.

The two countries sent and received $327.40 million worth of goods in the first two months of 2023, including $206.2 million in January alone. The combined figure represents a more than twofold increase in trade compared to a year earlier, when cross-border commerce was valued at $136.26 million in the first two months.

Notably, the bilateral exchange