US sanctions North Korea's weapons of mass destruction financing network
Photo: The US has announced sanctions against North Korea's weapons of mass destruction financing network (Getty Images)
The US government has announced new sanctions against the regimes of North Korea and Myanmar for their cooperation and receipt of income, which the DPRK uses to finance weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, according to the US Department of the Treasury.
Five individuals and one organization that helped generate illicit income for the North Korean regime, including through the sale of weapons to the military regime in Burma, were targeted by the sanctions.
The ministry stressed that North Korea's illegal programs pose a direct threat to the US and its allies, and therefore, Washington will continue to destroy the financial networks that support them.
The sanctions are directed against foreign representatives of North Korean entities - the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID) and the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), which are already under UN and US sanctions.
KOMID is the main exporter of weapons and equipment for North Korea's missile programs, while RGB is involved in military and intelligence operations abroad.
The US paid particular attention to KOMID's cooperation with the Burmese company Royal Shune Lei, which has been signing contracts to supply weapons and equipment to the Myanmar army since 2022.
In addition, representatives of North Korea involved in money laundering through businesses in Laos and Thailand were also sanctioned.
The US Treasury Department emphasized that these actions cut off financial flows to Pyongyang and interrupt the sale of weapons to Burma, which actively uses them in military operations against the opposition.
Consequences of sanctions
Today's US sanctions provide for the freezing of all property and shares owned by the specified individuals or organizations if they are located in the US or under the control of US citizens.
Companies in which these individuals hold more than 50% ownership are also blocked. All transactions involving their property are prohibited without special permission.
North Korea's weapons
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un recently stated that his country had developed a powerful secret weapon, but did not disclose any specific details.
Meanwhile, South Korea reported that Pyongyang may have up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium, which is enough to make dozens of nuclear bombs.
In addition, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said that North Korea is completing the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear strike against the United States.
