Russian trade with North Korea fell again in 2016, with exports to the DPRK dropping to their lowest levels in four years, statistics from the ITC trade database show.

The drop in trade occurred despite numerous political measures and legislation to facilitate business interactions between the two countries throughout 2015.

Russia’s Minister for the Development of the Far East Alexander Galushka oversaw numerous interventions intended to galvanize trade between the DPRK and Russia, including establishing business councils and an electric power deal.

But the flurry of diplomatic activity appears to have had little payoff. The ITC trade figures