The Department of Treasury conducted an in-depth investigation of an American NGO’s work on North Korea in 2018, NK News has learned, sparking extensive sanctions compliance concerns and significant new paperwork burdens among fellow humanitarian organizations.

Although no fines were ultimately issued – the NGO in question instead received a cautionary note – the process did cost the group tens of thousands in legal fees and significant operating burdens.

“As a relatively small NGO, we spent hundreds of staff hours responding to OFAC questions in 2018,” American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) spokesperson Dan Jasper told NK Newsabout the investigation.