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Oil tanks are seen at a Sinopec plant in the Chinese city of Hefei. China is restricting petroleum exports to North Korea.   © Reuters
North Korea Crisis

North Korean gas prices reported surging after new sanctions

Kim regime may be rationing fuel to keep military supplied

HIROSHI MINEGISHI, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- Fuel prices in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang soared last week, the Voice of America reported Saturday, in what may be a sign that international sanctions targeting the country's oil supply are starting to bite.

For nearly three weeks following North Korea's Sept. 3 nuclear test, the gasoline price in Pyongyang had remained steady at 1.60 euros ($1.90) per kilogram, the VOA reported, citing a diplomat based there. Then on Thursday, the price shot up more than 40% to 2.30 euros. Diesel also jumped that day to 2 euros per kilogram from 1.70 euros.

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