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East-Asia-Intel

Trade between North Korea and China jumped more than 62 percent in 2011 over the previous year, reflecting the North’s deepening reliance on its neighbor for economic survival, Seoul’s state trade agency said.

According to figures compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the value of bilateral trade reached $5.63 billion last year, up 62.5 percent from $3.46 billion in 2010.

North Korean exports to China doubled to $2.46 billion, while imports grew 38.9 percent to $3.17 billion.

The jump in North Korean exports was attributable to increases in mineral resources, including coal and iron ore, while the North’s imports consisted mainly of crude oil, the KITA said.

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  China, China’s growing leverage over N. Korea evidenced by sharp spike in 2011 trade, Korea International Trade Association, North Korea