The UN’s audit of the UNDP – which last June the internal audit was noted as being somewhat of a fiasco – has, surprise, surprise, cleared the UNDP and itself of any wrongdoing in the matter:
The case has in part revolved around accusations that some of the hard currency UNDP spent in North Korea […]

The UNDP worker who brought attention to the illegal hemorrhaging of UN cash in North Korea was retaliated against, according to a UN ethics official:
The top U.N. ethics official has found preliminary evidence that the U.N. Development Program retaliated against an employee who exposed abuse and rules violations in the agency’s programs in North […]

The UN oversight report on the UNDP’s inappropriate handling of funds in North Korea was released last week, while a U.S. Department of State report offers a few details on what a small portion of the funds were used for:
About $3 million in United Nations money intended to help impoverished North Koreans was diverted […]

The OpinionJournal has this stinging evaluation of the UN’s internal audit of how and why UNDP officials gave cash to North Korea (possibly to the tune of US$100 million) for years with apparently no oversight:
The case of U.N. hard currency for Kim Jong Il took its latest turn Friday with the release of the […]

It’s been brought to my attention that there is a new online petition to put pressure on the “United Nations to adhere to the commitments of the 1951 Convention regarding the Status of Refugees,” particularly in regard to North Koreans being forcibly repatriated by China.
China has ignored its obligations under the 1951 United Nations […]

Update: Kevin points out French disappointment at Ban’s apparent inability to speak their language well. As someone who struggles to maintain a bit of proficiency in a language I seldom need to speak, I have some sympathy in this area.
Original post: Ban Ki-moon, the former ROK Foreign Minister and current UN Secretary General elect […]

The new 45-foot North Korean Motor Vessel (M/V) Omrani-II’ apparently had mechanical problems and was towed to Bombay on 29 October. An inspection of the empty vessel caused suspicions, as they could not explain why there were underway to Iran in an empty ship:
“They have told us that because it is a new ship […]

Update: Although China has inspected some cargo going into North Korea, questions are being raised about how China and South Korea will interpret and implement enforcement of Saturday’s sanctions:
. . .the South Korean government said it would still pursue economic projects with North Korea, including an industrial zone and tourist resort in the North. […]

WaPo’s take on Ban Ki-Moon, now the leading candidate to replace the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan:
Rivals have privately grumbled that South Korea, which has the world’s 11th-largest economy, has wielded its economic might to generate support for his candidacy. [Snip]
Ban said the insinuations are “groundless”… “I am a man of integrity.”
I don’t […]

… only according to Tom Plate. (Had you there for a while, didn’t I?)
The career diplomat, whom I interviewed in Los Angeles recently, does his homework, really knows his stuff, works harder than anyone in the South Korean foreign ministry, is a straight-shooter, speaks several languages excellently, including English, is well liked by his […]