After months of silence, the U.N. Security Council’s North Korea sanctions committee suddenly reopened a long-blocked humanitarian pipeline last week — giving the green light to 17 aid projects in a single sweep.

The sudden approvals by the 1718 Committee are reportedly the result of South Korean efforts to convince the U.S. to stop blocking sanctions waivers, as Seoul seeks to lure North Korea back to the negotiating table.

For humanitarian operations, the move represents a return to the status quo rather than a bold new move that will reshape support for North Koreans. Pyongyang has consistently rejected engagement with