The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) made its first wide-scale appeal for international humanitarian aid in 1995, while in the midst of a famine. International organizations (IOs), such as United Nations (UN) bodies and the Red Cross, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and bilateral state aid came in to assist the DPRK government in providing basic needs for its people. More than 20 years later, humanitarian and development groups continue to work in the DPRK.

Those who oppose humanitarian aid in the DPRK have often pinpointed diversion as justification for not conducting aid programs. Diversion occurs when aid