North Korean “volunteers” in the Russian Far East joined disaster relief efforts after a typhoon hit the region, Russian authorities have announced, raising questions about the possible hiring of DPRK citizens in violation of international sanctions.

“Volunteers from among DPRK citizens based in Primorsky Krai took part in cleaning up the territory of the Central Market in Ussuriysk,” the International Cooperation Agency of Primorsky Krai said in a Telegram post on Saturday, thanking DPRK citizens for their help.

The region of Primorsky Krai suffered heavy rains and extreme flooding after Typhoon Khanunpassed through earlier this month, prompting regional chief