Not sure if it makes any difference, but I use a custom 'dynamic' north arrow, and use Layout Tools to link to a given Viewport, and do not experience this issue.
The linked north arrow is updated correctly when the Viewport's view is rotated, and the north arrow can be moved in paper space (within the Viewport extents?) without moving the Viewport itself... Now, there is a noticeable lag, or pause when attempting to move the north arrow, and the associated Viewport shows as selected, but it (the Viewport) is not actually moved.
Cheers
[Edit] - This ^^^ without plan production tools.