China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), the main supplier of diesel and gasoline to North Korea, has suspended fuel sales to North Korea because it is worried that it may not receive payments, Reuters reported late on Tuesday, citing three sources. It was not immediately clear how long the fuel sales suspension would last. North Korea imports all the oil and oil products it consumes—mostly from China—and a prolonged suspension by CNPC would choke out supplies at a time when the international community is increasing pressure on North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile ambitions, and is intensifying checks over Chinese business relations with Pyongyang. According to a source with direct knowledge of CNPC’s plans who spoke to Reuters, the Chinese corporation had decided to halt fuel sales “over the last month or two” in what was a “commercial decision”. CNPC typically wants upfront payments for the fuels, while […]