The US has announced sanctions against six individuals and two organizations based in Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing them of transferring money to North Korea's weapons programs.
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| The US has applied many sanctions to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons. (Source: Reuters) |
Reuters Reportedly, on March 27, the US Treasury Department issued a statement saying that this action was carried out in coordination with South Korea.
The six individuals on the sanctions list include Yu Pu Ung, Ri Tong Hyok, Han Chol Man, O In Chun, Jong Song Ho and Jon Yon Gun.
The sanctioned entities are Alis LLC, based in Vladivostok (Russia), and Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate based in the UAE. Both companies are affiliated with Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company, an entity allegedly linked to the North Korean armed forces.
According to the US Treasury Department, Chinyong, sanctioned by the US in May 5, uses a network of companies and representatives to manage delegations of North Korean information technology employees abroad.
The announcement came after the US and South Korea formed a new task force this week to prevent North Korea from circumventing UN Security Council sanctions to buy oil.
Also related to the North Korean situation, March 28, the company Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Russia's Director of Foreign Intelligence Sergei E. Naryshkin visited Pyongyang from March 25-27 and met with host state Security Minister Ri Chang-dae.
KCNA said: "At the talks, the two sides informed each other of their views on the current international and regional situation related to the Korean Peninsula and Russia, and discussed widely and deeply the issues practice to further strengthen cooperation to deal with the increasing spying moves and plots of hostile forces."
