North
Korea under Kim Jong Un might be strolling into economic recession in
no distant time following the sanctions slammed on the country.
President Xi Jinping
All North Korean companies have been ordered to stop doing business in China according to an unnamed Chinese official.
After the UN Security Council passed new sanctions two weeks ago, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said North Korean firms and joint ventures in China would be closed within 120 days.
Following North Korea's sixth and largest nuclear test this month, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to expand sanctions on Pyongyang. It has halted the country’s textile exports and capped fuel supplies.
It is the ninth UN Security Council sanctions resolution over North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006.
Last week, China’s central bank told the country's lenders to
strictly implement UN sanctions against North Korea. They were ordered
to stop providing financial services to new North Korean customers and
to wind down loans with existing customers. Chinese banks have been
accused of transferring funds to and from Pyongyang.
Sources told Reuters the banks were warned of the economic losses and risks to their reputation if they did not comply.
On Tuesday, the US announced sanctions against eight North Korean
banks and 26 individuals. The new punitive measures followed President
Trump’s executive order targeting North Korea’s access to the
international banking system.
Washington repeatedly raised concerns that Beijing has not been tough enough over Pyongyang’s nuclear tests, warning that any threat from North Korea would trigger an "overwhelming" response.
China's President Xi Jinping
assured President Trump that Beijing remains committed to
denuclearizing North Korea and remains firm in its wish to resolve the
issue through talks leading to a peaceful settlement.
Recently tension has been escalating between the US and North Korea. Washington and Pyongyang have exchanged a series of threats, vowing to destroy one another.
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened to launch a
nuclear strike against Washington after President Trump threatened to
“totally destroy” North Korea if it attacks the US or its allies.
The threat came after Trump tweeted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “won’t be around much longer.” The White House later denied the US had declared war on North Korea.
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