Korea

Russia resumes exports of oil products to North Korea, to send wheat supply, too

Russia has resumed the exports of oil products to North Korea after a short pause due to the coronavirus pandemic that has swept across the globe.

The Interfax news agency on Wednesday cited Russia’s Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora as announcing the news.

Matsegora said the country’s exports to North Korea now constituted 2,000-3,000 tons of oil products a month, approximately the same as last year’s levels.

The Russian news agency also reported that Moscow planned to send a new supply of wheat to North Korea to help the country before it starts harvesting its winter barley in June.

“This is a very timely step,” Matsegora said, adding that North Korea’s stockpile from its previous harvest had already been low due to a drought in 2019 and other factors.

“We expect to be able to deliver another supply of our wheat soon,” Matsegora said.

Russia has already sent 25,000 tons of wheat in humanitarian aid to North Korea in May after the drought last year hit its rice production.

The United States has spearheaded several rounds of sanctions against Pyongyang at the United Nations Security Council since 2006. The bans have mostly targeted Pyongyang’s exports, including coal, iron, lead, textiles, and seafood, while also hindering the imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.

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