The North Korean border (18 images)

North Koreans build a small building on the banks of the Yalu River near Sinuiju, across the Yalu River from Dandong, China's largest border city with North Korea, in Liaoning Province, on May 28, 2015. China remains North Korea's most important ally, providing Pyongyang with most of its food and energy supplies and comprises over sixty percent of its total trade volume. North Korea's economic dependence on China continues to grow due to international sanctions, as indicated by the significant trade imbalance between the two countries. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

North Koreans works in a field near Sinuiju, across the Yalu River from Dandong, China's largest border city with North Korea, in Liaoning Province, on May 28, 2015. China remains North Korea's most important ally, providing Pyongyang with most of its food and energy supplies and comprises over sixty percent of its total trade volume. North Korea's economic dependence on China continues to grow due to international sanctions, as indicated by the significant trade imbalance between the two countries. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

A North Korean border sentry outpost stands watch near Sinuiju, across the Yalu River from Dandong, China's largest border city with North Korea, in Liaoning Province, on May 28, 2015. China remains North Korea's most important ally, providing Pyongyang with most of its food and energy supplies and comprises over sixty percent of its total trade volume. North Korea's economic dependence on China continues to grow due to international sanctions, as indicated by the significant trade imbalance between the two countries. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

A North Korean border sentry outpost stands watch near Sinuiju, across the Yalu River from Dandong, China's largest border city with North Korea, in Liaoning Province, on May 28, 2015. China remains North Korea's most important ally, providing Pyongyang with most of its food and energy supplies and comprises over sixty percent of its total trade volume. North Korea's economic dependence on China continues to grow due to international sanctions, as indicated by the significant trade imbalance between the two countries. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI