A number of sources say China is pressuring North Korea to open its doors and pursue reform.

South Korea’s Joongang Daily reports a diplomatic source in Beijing said Wednesday that China is pressuring the North to carry out reforms and open up based on the perception that peace cannot be secured on the Korean Peninsula otherwise.

The source added that exchanges between high-level officials of North Korea and China have virtually come to a standstill apparently as part of China’s calls for the North to reform.

Another source said China has already taken substantial steps for the North to reform and open up, saying that roughly ten North Korean financial officials are training in banking at Shenzhen in Guangdong Province.