N.Korea's Grain Imports from China Peak in September

North Korea's grain imports from China for this year peaked in September, raising concerns about a possible food shortage.

South Korean researchers at the Korea Rural Economic Institute said North Korea imported some 67,000 tons of grain including rice and flour from China in September, the biggest amount so far this year.

The researchers said that as Pyongyang usually imports about 20,000 tons per month, the vast jump in import volume suggests the reclusive state is either running out of self-produced grain or is attempting to stabilize food prices.