Definitely. The regime isn't interested in allowing outside scholars access its libraries, museums, or antiquities in a professional capacity. It's had trouble enough with the few who have gained access (usually as tourists) and are unable to restrain themselves from poking the propaganda a bit. My favorite story is that of the Japanese arborist who was visiting in the (I think) mid- to late-1990s and had an array of "slogan trees" pointed out to him on Mount Paektu. Revolutionaries who fought with Kim il-Sung against the Japanese supposedly carved predictions of both his and his son's eventual greatness into hundreds of trees surrounding their "secret camp" on Paektu. The arborist wanted to know how it was possible for 60-year old carvings to exist on 30-year old trees. I believe he was subsequently asked to leave the country.

Anyway, the regime is incredibly sensitive to anything that might clash with the approved history of both the country and the Kim family, and this sometimes shows in odd places. Its manipulation of history related to the Kim family itself stretches to at least 1866; it claims that Kim il-Sung's great-grandfather led the fighting against the General Sherman, an American/British steamer that was attempting to open trade relations with Pyongyang. This is extremely unlikely. Past that, there have even been claims made of an early Korean culture (named the Taedonggang) that was equal in learning and prestige to the ancient Egyptians. Independent scholars can't argue that this is untrue without access to the evidence, but as a rule these claims are regarded very skeptically when they serve an obvious propaganda purpose for the state. But even on a more mundane note, we have limited to no access to any records that remain in North Korea from any period of its history, and that's frustrating.

On a more general note, restricting scholars' ability to travel, honestly evaluate archaeological discoveries/manuscripts, or have frank discussions with each other is an irrecoverable blow to any academic establishment.