News North Korea-China trade plunges in May as DPRK battles COVID outbreakZero official imports of medications, masks and ventilators suggests Beijing is providing aid for free, expert says North Korea’s imports from China plummeted to just $14.5 million in May as the country locked down in response to a COVID-19 outbreak, Chinese data shows, while shipments of medical goods for treating the disease also came to an abrupt halt. The May total marked an 85% decrease from $98.1 million worth of imports in April, according to the data from Beijing’s General Administration of Customs (GAC). Notably, China did not report sending any COVID-19 treatment and prevention products such as medications, masks and non-invasive ventilators in May, after previous data showed that the DPRK had © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |