Orascom Investment Holding (OIH) has sought an exemption from the Security Council to operate its subsidiary Koryolink venture in North Korea, which excludes it from a ban on foreign investment in the country, Invest-Gate reports.

According to the letters received from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the authority has decided to allow Koryolink to continue its activity in North Korea with the stipulation that it is a telecommunications infrastructure firm offering public services to Korea’s citizens, according to a bourse filing on December 30.

OIH stated that it does not need any additional approvals or exemptions from the authority to conduct its business including local and international transactions in distinct activities.

Koryolink was established in 2008 as North Korea’s only 3G mobile phone network with OIH reportedly controlling a 75% stake of the venture, however, the firm had said it officially “lost control” of its stake in 2015.