North Korean trade with its main commercial partner China slumped in the first half of 2024, amid attention on whether Beijing will express displeasure over closer DPRK-Russia ties.

Total commercial exchanges between the two countries slumped to $971 million between January-June this year, down from $1.07 billion registered in the same period of 2023, new data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Thursday.

North Korea’s trade also declined for a second consecutive month to $178.5 million in June, falling from $181.3 million in May. The June figure also marked an on-year drop from $184.2 million in