On October 18th (local time), the Ukrainian Military Strategic Communication and Information Security Center (SPRAVDI) released a video showing soldiers presumed to be North Korean lining up to receive Russian supplies. Photo by Yonhap News
The government has imposed unilateral sanctions on 11 individuals, including high-ranking North Korean generals dispatched to the Ukraine war, and 15 organizations.
On the 17th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it designated individuals and organizations involved in illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as well as in procuring funds and materials for North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, as targets of unilateral sanctions against North Korea.
The Ministry explained that these unilateral sanctions are part of coordinated efforts following a joint statement by 10 countries including South Korea, the United States, and Japan, along with the European Union (EU), condemning the increase in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia.
The sanctions list includes Kim Young-bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, Shin Geum-cheol, Director of the Operations Bureau of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and missile technician Ri Seong-jin, all of whom were dispatched to support Russia in the Ukraine war.
The North Korean Storm Corps (11th Corps) deployed to the Ukraine war and its commander Ri Bong-chun were also designated as sanction targets.
In addition, Russian individuals and organizations involved in North Korea-Russia arms transactions were included in the sanctions.
Rafael Anatolyevich Gazaryan and the companies Rapot and Transcapital, which he represents, provided material, financial, and technical support during the North Korea-Russia arms transactions.
Also, Aleksei Budnev and the company Technologie, which he represents, transported North Korean military communication equipment to support the Russian military, and Pavel Pavlovich Sheverin, affiliated with the Wagner Group, was involved in arms transportation between North Korea and Russia. The organization Berus was involved in North Korea-Russia arms transactions.
MRB Bank, TSMR Bank, RFC Bank, Stroitrade, and Timer Bank were involved in illegal financial transactions between North Korea and Russia.
These unilateral sanctions will be enforced from 0:00 on the 19th through publication in the official gazette.
Financial and foreign exchange transactions with sanctioned entities require prior approval from the Financial Services Commission or the Governor of the Bank of Korea, respectively. Transactions without approval may be punished according to relevant laws.
The United States and the European Union (EU) also announced sanctions against North Korea on the 16th (local time).
The U.S. sanctions targets include Deputy Chief of Staff Kim Young-bok and Director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau Ri Chang-ho. The additional high-level North Korean sanctions list announced by the EU includes Kim Young-bok and Defense Minister No Kwang-chol.
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