North Korea imported over $350,000 worth of sanctioned goods from China in the first six months of 2023, NK Pro analysis of official trade data shows, in the latest sign that Pyongyang and Beijing are openly defying the U.N. sanctions regime.

The DPRK’s illicit imports from China in the first half of the year totaled 181.5 tons of sanctions commodities valued at $355,355, dominated by pumps, valves and solar water heaters, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.

Chinese customs records show North Korea renewed open imports of sanctioned goods in early 2023 following a more than