This story has been updated to include additional expert comments.

South Korea exported sanctioned materials worth over USD$1 million to the DPRK following the opening of a liaison office in the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) in September last year, data from Seoul’s customs agency indicates.

While Seoul’s export of restricted materials in the lead-up to the office’s opening already made headlines, the continued exports between September and December suggest the South Korean government has prioritized engagement with the North over its obligations under UN sanctions.

“The government has adhered to