This article is the first of a series produced by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies exclusively for NK News. For this series, we’ve chosen to focus on the legal (mis)adventures of North Korean entities and individuals overseas. 

Even as diplomacy between the United States and the DPRK continues, North Korea endeavors to bring in currency to sustain itself and, potentially, contribute to its nuclear and missile programs.

The DPRK faces hurdles to doing so, most notably through the sanctions regime endorsed—and given the weight of international law—by the United Nations.