Is China Secretly Punishing North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un? Satellite Images Say Yes

Washington Post: Satellite imagery suggests China is secretly punishing North Korea

Is China secretly punishing Kim Jong Un for his nuclear mischief?

Following North Korea’s latest nuclear test, in January, trade over the China-North Korea border dropped dramatically, according to newly released satellite imagery. The revelation has led experts to conclude that Beijing has been quietly punishing Kim by cutting off the flow of funds to his regime.

There’s no question that the China-North Korea relationship has been strained since Kim assumed power in 2011. Against Beijing’s wishes, the young leader has revved up North Korea’s pace of missile tests and detonated two nuclear devices, one in 2013 and then again this January. In 2013, Kim executed his uncle Jang Song Thaek, who had been China’s main contact in Pyongyang.

After the latest nuclear explosion, which Pyongyang claimed was a hydrogen bomb, Secretary of State John F. Kerry publicly called on China to end “business as usual” with North Korea. Publicly, Beijing rejected being told by the United States how to handle its client state. Behind the scenes, it appears Beijing was doing just that.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese are punishing North Korea .... but it is too little and too late.