FLOUTING THE RULES

Report: Russia Allows in Thousands of North Korean Workers Despite U.N. Sanctions

More than 10,000 work permits were reportedly issued since last September.

Russia has reportedly defied United Nations sanctions by allowing thousands of North Korean citizens to work in the country. According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 10,000 North Koreans have registered to work in the country since last September, when the U.N. Security Council prohibited governments from issuing new work permits to North Korean citizens. At least 700 new permits were issued this year alone, according to the report. U.S. officials say the move represents a potential violation of sanctions that were meant to pressure Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program by cutting it off from global cash flows.