Exports of North Korean coal to China remained at zero for the fifth consecutive month following Beijing’s decision to ban the imports in February, the country’s trade statistics show.

Data issued by China’s General Administration of Customs and compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) indicate the DPRK has lost up to half a billion dollars since the ban was implemented.

Beijing announced it would prohibit its traders from importing the DPRK’s coal in line with UN resolutions, though some of the trade may have continued.

But despite