Update on 04/10/2018 at 1900 KST: The Associated Press reports that USKI will cease operations due to the funding cut. 38 North will reportedly continue operations. 

South Korea’s Blue House has denied playing a role in the decision to cut up to USD$2 million worth of funding from a U.S. institute last week, instead saying the move was motivated by the organization’s “insignificant” work over the past decade and lack of financial transparency.

The comments come as multiple reports suggest Seoul’s decision to withdraw funding from the U.S. Korea Institute (USKI) at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)