Recently, around 130,000 tons of Russian coal were exported to China through North Korea’s Najin Port. This resumption after three years is analyzed as a result of the close relationship between North Korea and Russia.
On July 10, Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited a report from the Russian daily Kommersant on July 9, stating, “About 130,000 tons of Russian coal were exported to China through North Korea’s Najin Port in April and May.”
According to the “Argus Coal Report” quoted by Kommersant, Russia exported its coal to China by ship after sending it to North Korea’s Najin Port on a railway connecting Russia’s Khasan and North Korea’s Najin in April.
According to media reports, the last time Russia officially exported its coal through North Korea’s Najin Port was in 2021. At that time, Russia exported 15,000 tons of coal in the first half of the year.
The export of coal through North Korea’s Najin Port is not subject to UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea. UNSC Resolutions 2371, Clause 8, and 2375, Clause 18, explicitly exempt the export of Russian coal to third countries through North Korea’s Rajin Port as a North Korea-Russia joint venture. However, the reason it has not been exported to a third country so far is believed to be due to restrictions such as COVID-19.
Experts have evaluated that the resumption of exports through Najin Port is a result of the deepening relationship between North Korea and Russia, expressing concern that this could lead to an increase in North Korea’s imports.
Ashley Hess, a former member of the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on North Korea Sanctions, told RFA, “North Korea could use this money for further development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, which are prohibited by the UN.”