North Korean trade with its largest commercial partner China fell by 13 percent from the same three-month period last year, according to figures published today by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

Trade between the two countries was valued at $1.1 billion from January to March this year, down from $1.27 billion in 2014.

Beijing’s imports from the DPRK showed the largest drop in value, falling 9.8 percent to $545 million over the three-month period.

While South Korean media reported the news could be indicative of less trade activity between the two countries arising from a cooler political