U.N. maritime agency staffers made a rare visit to North Korea in mid-November for an audit of the country’s shipping operations, a move one expert said highlights Pyongyang’s selective engagement with international organizations that offer practical benefits.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said in a press release that staff traveled to North Korea during the week of Nov. 17, 2025 to conduct a “technical audit” under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). 

The IMO is responsible for setting international standards for maritime safety and marine environmental protection. North Korea has been a member since 1986.

The organization assesses whether