The U.S. will significantly ease sanctions regulations on humanitarian and journalistic activities in North Korea, a decision one expert lauded as a welcome move.  

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Thursday that U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) will now be able to conduct a wide array of humanitarian-related activities that were previously restricted, including educational programs, disarmament initiatives and peacebuilding efforts in the DPRK. 

NGOs will also face fewer bureaucratic hurdles working with their DPRK counterparts, according to OFAC’s notice. Before the amendment, NGOs were required to obtain special licenses from OFAC for most activities and transactions involving