Korea-based online news site NK reported that smuggling activities at the border between North Korea and China increased after Kim’s visit to China in early January, citing multiple unnamed sources in the North Korean province of Ryanggang.
The January visit was Kim’s fourth visit to China since his first in March 2018. In all four meetings, Kim met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Copper and zinc—common materials used in manufacturing—produced at North Korea’s Hyesan Mine, located in Ryanggang, are being smuggled “en masse into China,” according to Daily NK, due to the fact that North Korean authorities “have relaxed a bit” in their crackdown on smuggling.
Several North Korean firms were named in connection with the mineral sales, including Kangsong Trading Company, Yonun Company, and Mirim Company—all of which had obtained the rights to export minerals on behalf of the North Korean regime, according to Daily NK.
