U.S. spy satellites have reportedly observed Chinese ships transferring oil to North Korea ships illegally, according to Seoul-based newspaper Chosun Ilbo, which cited South Korean government officials.
The report was summarized on Fox News on Wednesday. To cut a long story short, President Trump watches Fox News regularly. He responded to the report in a subsequent interview with the New York Times saying that he had been “too soft” with China, and that “If they don’t help us with North Korea, then I do what I’ve always said I want to do.”
And by that, Trump could mean anything. He’s already threatened military action against North Korea, and the recent tightening of sanctions against the errant nation by the United Nations have seen North Korea describe the move as an “act of war.”
The specific sanction change in question is the reduction of petroleum products supply to the rogue nation being limited to 500,000 barrels per year starting January 1, 2018.
With the latest warning from Trump, tension in the region is now at an all-time high.
In related news, with just six weeks to go before the Winter Olympics in South Korea is held within 50 miles of the border with North Korea, security is likely to be a major worry for the organizers.
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