S. Korea Imposes Sanctions on N. North over Illegal Cyber Activities

South Korea announced new independent sanctions targeting 15 North Korean IT professionals and a single entity involved in illegal cyber activities allegedly used to fund the regime’s nuclear and missile programs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul stated that 14 of the individuals, including Park Hong-ryong, Yun Jong-sik, and Ri Il-jin, are suspected of operating abroad to earn foreign currency through illicit activities, such as cryptocurrency theft.

These actions reportedly help finance North Korea’s weapons development programs, in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

All the targeted individuals are associated with the General Bureau 313 under the Munitions Industry Department, which oversees the research, development, and production of weapons, including ballistic missiles.

Additionally, South Korea has added the "Chosun Kumjung Economic and Technology Exchange Company" to its sanctions list. The organization is accused of deploying North Korean IT workers overseas and funneling their earnings back to the regime.

Among those sanctioned is Sin Jong Ho, a company employee allegedly involved in earning foreign currency. He is reportedly based in Dandong, China.