The self-proclaimed republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, insurgent regions of Georgia that border Russia, rarely attract international attention and are only recognized by a handful of countries.

But their gray-zone status as de facto puppet states of Moscow has made them hubs of illegal activity — and likely an attractive place for North Korea to do business as it ramps up cooperation with Russia in violation of international sanctions.

Last month, the New York Times reported that a North Korean front company recently opened an account at a financial institution located in South Ossetia.[/p