China to send 19,000 tons of sugar to North Korea: Media Report
China will supply North Korea with 19,000 tons of refined sugar ahead of the Workers’ Party 80th anniversary on October 10. The aid aims to stabilize food prices and boost public morale. Sugar imports, deemed humanitarian, avoid sanctions, though concerns remain over transparency in funding and logistics, reported Daily NK.
China has agreed to provide large-scale sugar aid to North Korea, timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party on October 10. The move is being seen as a diplomatic success for Kim Jong Un, aimed at stabilizing food prices and boosting public sentiment, reported Daily NK.
According to a North Korean source cited by Daily NK, party and cabinet orders were issued on September 8 directing the Ministry of External Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport to prepare plans for the imports.
“This is the result of North Korea-China talks, scheduled to proceed intensively for about a month from late this month through next month, with import volumes specified at around 19,000 tons total,” the source was quoted as saying by Daily NK..
All of the sugar will be refined rather than raw considering North Korea’s lack of refining equipment and technical capacity.
As per the news report, expectations of new supplies are already spreading in Pyongyang and other major cities. Residents hope the shipments will ease recent price spikes.
North Korea is expected to use the sugar imports as part of its political messaging, portraying the aid as proof of Kim’s leadership and the strength of ties with China.
As per the news report, the massive sugar imports don’t violate sanctions against North Korea, as ordinary food items like sugar are considered humanitarian goods and excluded from restrictions. However, transparency concerns about funding flows and transportation processes have consistently been raised regarding large-scale material transactions with North Korea.
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Source : Chinimandi
