North Korea will not be able to last more than three months if its fuel supply is cut off.

(Baonghean.vn)- The British newspaper Daily recently published an analysis stating that the North Korean leader will face the collapse of his country if China stops supplying fuel to Pyongyang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Getty

Foreigners living in Pyongyang say the price of gasoline in the capital has increased by 83% in just three days. Some gas stations are now only accessible to diplomats and international organizations. Diplomatic sources say it is unclear whether China has cut off fuel supplies to Pyongyang or whether this is just a threat. But if it is true, the consequences could be dire.

An expert at South Korea’s IBK Bank said that China’s crude oil embargo would “paralyze” North Korea. He added: “If China cuts off oil supplies to North Korea, it will not be able to sustain itself for three months. This could lead to the possibility of North Korea collapsing, and it would even have a negative impact on China.”

Recently, US President Donald Trump has continuously put pressure on China to restrain Pyongyang, and experts say an oil embargo is the "highest card" that China holds.

China supplies 500,000 tons of oil to North Korea every year. Photo: Getty

However, Professor Bonnie Glaser of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said that this could only be a short-term measure, as cutting off oil supplies for a long period of time is probably the most severe punishment that Beijing can apply.

On the Chinese side, the Global Times newspaper said that the nuclear test that North Korea is believed to be about to conduct could endanger China. Therefore, this country will strengthen sanctions against North Korea within the framework of the UN resolution, including significantly restricting the export of petroleum to North Korea./.

Lan Ha

(According to Daily)