The only remaining international banking connection between North Korea and the outside world was suspended on 15 September and is yet to reopen, making the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) vulnerable to significant cash-flow problems, documents reviewed by NK Pro and sources indicated.

The Russia-based Bank Sputnik, which had provided the sole channel for UN agencies to obtain money for humanitarian purposes into North Korea between late 2016–2017, is no longer able to process transactions to the DPRK, with an apparent dispute remaining unresolved.

“The closure of banking channels leads UN agencies and partners to adopt cash