Obstacles to humanitarian work inside North Korea as a result of international sanctions are becoming a "serious concern" and may "hamper assistance and relief activities,” October 27 letters from the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pyongyang seen by NK News read.

The letters and accompanying documentation, compiled by Tapan Mishra – who has served in the role since 2015 – include a detailed inventory of what are said to be 42 direct and indirect occasions where sanctions have impeded UN-linked and NGO humanitarian work inside the DPRK.