Bangkok: A U.N. office has reported that the limited access to North Korea is critically hampering the U.N.'s ability to perform humanitarian and other necessary activities. Even the U.N.'s "resident" coordinator, who began his role over 18 months ago, has yet to gain entry into the country.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Office of U.N. Resident Coordinator Joe Colombano conveyed through its website the current operational challenges. The office emphasized the necessity for U.N. staff to return to Pyongyang, from which they have been absent since early 2021 due to the North's COVID-19 border closures. Colombano, appointed in March of last year with the approval of North Korea, along with the U.N. Country Team (UNCT) for North Korea, has been stationed at the U.N. regional headquarters in Bangkok awaiting entry approval from North Korea.

The office remarked, "The lack of country access severely constrains the ability of the U.N. to operate in the DPRK and implement the Strategic Framework for Cooperation between the U.N. and the DPRK 2015-2021 (now extended to December 2026)." This framework is a mutual agreement aimed at enhancing the welfare of North Koreans, particularly the most vulnerable populations, through various development and humanitarian projects.

Since the UNCT's departure in 2021, the U.N.'s programmatic activities have been significantly scaled back. However, with the easing of pandemic restrictions in late 2023 and 2024, some U.N. operations resumed, including the delivery of vaccines and health supplies, with further shipments planned for 2025.

Due to Pyongyang's ongoing refusal to permit the return of U.N. staff, there are no international U.N. personnel currently stationed in North Korea. Approximately 50 North Korean nationals, mostly seconded from government entities, are employed across six U.N. resident agencies, as noted by Colombano's office.

Colombano's diplomatic interactions with North Korean authorities have been confined to engagements with North Korea's permanent missions in New York and Bangkok. The U.N. remains prepared to restart operations within North Korea once access is granted, with ongoing discussions about the logistics of such a return.

In a communication last April, North Korea's U.N. mission informed Colombano that the country's borders remained partially closed, and the consideration for U.N. staff's return would occur after full border reopening. While working externally, Colombano maintains regular meetings with North Korean officials in New York and Bangkok and communicates with the director-general for International Organizations at North Korea's foreign ministry. Regular UNCT meetings are held in Bangkok, with North Korean staff participating online.

North Korea has increasingly leaned on Russia for essential supplies and resources, as the two nations strengthen their military and diplomatic ties under a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty signed last year. Colombano, hailing from Italy, has extensive experience in international relations, having previously led the Office of the U.N. Resident Coordinator in China.