How Barclays bank made a N. Korea scholar feel like a criminal | NK News
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September 18, 2026Sep 18, 2026

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How Barclays bank made a N. Korea scholar feel like a criminal

British banking giant severs account due to North Korea work

You know that sound Skype makes, right? Boo-bee-boo-be-boo. Boo-bee-boo-be-boo.

“Hey dad. What’s up?”

“Not much. Where are you?”

“Back in Beijing.”

“There’s a letter here from Barclay’s.”

“Oh yeah? A statement?”

“Hold on… Dear Mr. Abrahamian, we regret to inform you that your account is being terminated…”

“What?! Why?”

“It doesn’t say. It says to call.”

***

Is it weird to have an emotional attachment to a bank account? Opening it 20 years ago was part of my initiation into adulthood. I may have had an undercut, cherry red Doc Martens, and a signature as fluid as a cave painting,