South Korea imposes sanctions on Russia and North Korea for military cooperation
Illustrative photo: South Korea imposes sanctions on Russia and North Korea for military cooperation (Getty Images)
South Korea imposed sanctions on North Korea and Russia for military cooperation. The restrictions apply to individuals, companies, and organizations, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
Sanctions were imposed on 11 individuals and 15 organizations involved in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, as well as financing of North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.
The restrictions will take effect on December 19 and will affect many key individuals and companies.
Among those on the sanctions list are Generals of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Bok and Sin Hong Chol, rocket engineer Lee Song-jin, and other high-ranking officials of the DPRK Armed Forces, including Lee Bong-chun.
Entrepreneurs and companies that provide military infrastructure to North Korea were also sanctioned. In particular, the Parsec company is suspected of supplying key materials and technologies for North Korea's missile program.
On the Russian side, the sanctions list includes 7 individuals and 13 companies, including several banks.
Now, in order to conduct financial and currency transactions with them, it is necessary to obtain permission from the South Korean government.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry emphasized that the sanctions are a response to a recent statement by Western foreign ministers published on December 16. The document condemned military cooperation between Russia and North Korea as a threat to regional and global security.
North Korea's participation in Russia's war against Ukraine
North Korea actively supports Russia in its military aggression against Ukraine, providing both military equipment and personnel.
North Korean soldiers are stationed in the Kursk region of Russia, where they have already suffered losses. It is now known that Russia may deploy North Korean soldiers to the eastern front.
There have also been reports of some North Korean soldiers trying to escape from their positions.
At the same time, after unsuccessful assaults on the Kursk direction, the North Korean military is being replenished. This indicates heavy losses among North Korean soldiers.
The United States has imposed sanctions on North Korea and Russia, and the list of restrictions includes North Korean generals.
