The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Monday that the North Korean government had agreed to allow satellite communications for UN agencies during a recent UN visit to Pyongyang. Kenzo Oshima, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said on top of that, the North Korean government promised to cooperate with the relief agencies on the emergency medical evacuation of international personnel by air. Oshima, who made a five-day trip to the famine-stricken nation from July 30th, also pointed out that the North Korean government need to should significantly improve the operating environment for aid agencies if the international community is to continue to provide the substantial assistance required to help overcome the country's severe food crisis.