Business as usual? China-DPRK economic ties back on track amid easing tensions in Northeast Asia – Théo Clément

In the framework of the spectacular easing of DPRK-US diplomatic tensions and the current round of negotiations on North Korean denuclearization, the issue of the implementation of UN economic sanctions against the DPRK has become critical. Recently, due to both economic and diplomatic concerns, China seems to have dramatically loosened its already contrasted implementation of economic measures against North Korea. Indeed, if the DPRK -with or without nukes- is able to actively expand its ties with other Northeast Asian countries, it is quite likely that China is trying to get closer to Pyongyang by repairing its damaged political and economic ties, aiming at maintaining stability in its immediate periphery.