Checking North Korea's Reconnaissance Satellite Development... Yoon Administration's 5th Independent Sanctions Against North Korea

77 Satellite Development Items... Even Indirect Exports Blocked
4 Individuals Including High-Ranking North Korean Officials and 6 Organizations Added to Sanctions
"Provocations Will Have Consequences... We Will Strengthen All-Out Response"

The government has decided to control even the indirect export of 77 items related to the development of military reconnaissance satellites for the first time in the international community in response to North Korea's continuous provocations. In addition, four individuals, including current and former high-ranking North Korean officials, and six organizations have been newly designated as targets of independent sanctions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 21st that these sanction measures were taken in response to a series of provocations by North Korea, including the launch of long-range ballistic missiles that pose a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community, and to prepare for the possibility of further provocations.

Items for North Korea's Military Reconnaissance Satellite Development... Blocking Even Indirect Exports

North Korea

First, as part of export control measures against North Korea, the government created a "North Korea-specific watch-list of items in the satellite sector." This is the first time in the international community that restrictions have been imposed on North Korea's satellite development. The government explained that it has been preparing to announce sanction items in response to North Korea's military reconnaissance satellite development, which was declared to be ready by April of this year at the 8th Party Congress in August 2021.

The sanction list includes 77 items covering the entire satellite system, such as optical payload components like focus assembly, attitude control equipment like star trackers, solar panels, antennas, and satellite navigation devices (GPS). Future exports to North Korea via third countries will also be prohibited. The government has shared this list in advance with key allied countries to be used for their export controls against North Korea and plans to lead international responses through close consultations.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The announcement of the watch-list will raise international awareness of the need to prevent the inflow of key items that can be used for North Korea's satellite development and will have the effect of restricting North Korea's reconnaissance satellite development. It is expected to contribute to the implementation of international sanctions against North Korea by further specifying the export control list under the UN Security Council resolutions."

Including Current and Former High-Ranking North Korean Officials... The Yoon Administration's 5th Independent Sanctions

North Korean Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17'

Furthermore, to tighten North Korea's financial resources, the government additionally designated four individuals and six organizations involved in nuclear and missile development or evading sanctions as targets of independent sanctions. This is an additional measure taken about a month after the last one on the 20th of last month and marks the fifth independent sanctions against North Korea since the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Since October last year, the government has placed 35 individuals and 41 organizations on the sanctions list.

The four individuals designated for sanctions are Ri Yong-gil, Party Military Secretary; Kim Su-gil, former Director of the General Political Bureau; Jeong Seong-hwa; and TAN Wee Beng (Singapore). It is notable that current and former high-ranking officials involved in North Korea's nuclear and missile program development are included. The others were found to have contributed to sanction evasion through foreign currency earnings or money laundering involving IT personnel.

The six sanctioned organizations are the Central Prosecutor's Office, Beijing Guesthouse, Chosun 4.26 Children's Film Studio, Cheolsan Trading, Wee Tiong (s) Pte Ltd (Singapore), and WT Marine Pte Ltd (Singapore). In particular, the Central Prosecutor's Office is a core power institution that contributed to the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) through forced labor. Other organizations were involved in raising funds for nuclear and missile development through illegal financial activities.

"Effectiveness Through Overlapping Sanctions with Allied Countries... Leading International Responses"

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The targets of these sanctions were also designated as independent sanction targets by the United States between October 2018 and December last year. The government expects that overlapping and cross sanctions with allied countries will enhance the effect of cutting off financial resources. In particular, the government evaluated that this measure is significant as it expands the scope of independent sanctions from the first cyber sector sanctions on the 10th of last month to the surveillance and reconnaissance sector.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The government has clearly stated that there will be consequences for North Korea's provocations. Repeated provocations will only result in strengthened deterrence by the ROK-US alliance and a tighter international sanctions network. The government will continue to strengthen comprehensive responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats."

Meanwhile, prior approval from the Governor of the Bank of Korea and the Financial Services Commission is required to conduct foreign exchange or financial transactions with sanctioned targets. Transactions without approval may be punished according to relevant laws.