An expert has forecast a high probability of North Korea’s foreign exchange earnings decreasing or stalling.

In a report on North Korea’s prospects for foreign exchange released Thursday, Kim Suk-jin of the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) estimated that exports of minerals to China, by far the largest share of the North’s foreign currency, will decrease or remain sluggish.

“North Korea’s exports are usually toward the Chinese market. Currently, mineral exports to China account for two-thirds of the total volume of its exports to China. When primary metals are included, it accounts for three-fourths,” Kim wrote.

Exports of minerals