The $10 trillion resource North Korea can't tap

According to UN experts—as of February this year—North Korea had adapted to the stricter sanctions "through various tactics, including identity fraud."

"Their ability to conceal financial activity by using foreign nationals and entities allows them to continue to transact through top global financial centres," according to the report.

According to a more recent investigation by ABC Four Corners, North Korea has business interests in Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe, contrary to the common perception that it is a very isolated country. Office 39—one of the departments of its Workers' Party—is "the ultimate slush fund", reportedly generating up to US$1.6 billion annually for Kim's lavish lifestyle, while 70 percent of people are food insecure.

"North Korea is very sophisticated in concealing the fact that it is, indeed, North Korea doing business overseas. It's good at hiding in plain sight," Andrea Berger, Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told the program.