North Korea’s only independent and international law-firm, Hay, Kalb & Associates, is to suspend operations with effect from midnight Monday, a press release seen by the Reuters news agency said.

The firm, which has been operating in Pyongyang since 2004 and is managed by Scottish national Michael Hay, will close amid tightening sanctions and international pressure following North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January.

“This decision has been taken only after lengthy and thorough deliberation and an examination of the continuing deterioration of inter-regional relations pertaining to the Korean peninsula,” Hay said in a statement seen by Reuters.

“It is not unreasonable to assume