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Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Chinese state media dismissed speculation that a recent ban on all North Korea exports was carried out in retaliation for the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of Kim Jong Un. An editorial published Monday in state tabloid Global Times described the speculation as "absurd."
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The article stated North Korea would be the target of the "greatest suffering" if it continues to pursue nuclear weapons development.
"Until now North Korea has said it would not abandon its nuclear weapons in any scenario, but if the conflict continues, all concerned parties will be affected," the Global Times editorial stated.
On Saturday, China's commerce ministry and customs agency said Beijing has called for the suspension of all North Korea coal imports for the remainder of 2017.
"Imports of coal produced in North Korea – including shipments already declared to customs but yet to be released – will be suspended for the remainder of this year," the statement read, according to CNN.
The decision was made in compliance with United Nations Security Council sanctions Resolution 2321 adopted last November, Beijing said.
The Global Times listed several reasons the Kim Jong Nam assassination is not relevant to the new coal embargo.
The newspaper said there has been no final conclusion on who is responsible, and that more importantly views of Kim Jong Un's older half-brother as a Chinese ally against the existing regime are not compatible with Chinese foreign policy.
The older Kim was reportedly living under Chinese protection in the territory of Macau.
The editorial also made distinctions between Beijing's opposition to North Korea's nuclear weapons program and an "unchanging" friendship with Pyongyang.
"China's sanctions are aimed at the nuclear weapons program only," the Global Times stated.
