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US Sanctions 16 North Korean Agents It Claims Work in China, Russia
The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned 16 North
Korean agents it said are operating in China and Russia, aiding the
country’s banned weapons program and financial system.
The action comes as Washington’s top sanctions envoy urged senior Chinese officials in Beijing to expel known North Korean agents in its territory in line with United Nations Security Council obligations.
The 16 North Koreans, representing previously sanctioned banks and a firm Washington says was supporting Pyongyang’s chemical-weapons program, add to the two dozen agents already identified by the Treasury Department as operating in violation of U.N. resolutions in China.
The Chinese and Russian embassies in the U.S. didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Treasury also sanctioned two Chinese companies it says have been exporting goods to North Korea, including transactions with a subsidiary of a North Korean firm involved with Pyongyang’s missile program.
Five North Korean shipping companies and their vessels were also added to Treasury’s sanctions list, part of a broader campaign by Washington to shut down the illegal trade routes used by North Korea.
Wall Street Journal 2h ago
U.S. Sanctions 16 North Korean Agents It Claims Work in China, Russia
The North Koreans represent previously sanctioned banks and a company Washington says was backing Pyongyang’s chemical-weapons program
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at an event in November in Beijing.
Photo:
pilipey/epa-efe/rex/shutterstock/EPA/Shutterstock
The action comes as Washington’s top sanctions envoy urged senior Chinese officials in Beijing to expel known North Korean agents in its territory in line with United Nations Security Council obligations.
The 16 North Koreans, representing previously sanctioned banks and a firm Washington says was supporting Pyongyang’s chemical-weapons program, add to the two dozen agents already identified by the Treasury Department as operating in violation of U.N. resolutions in China.
Treasury also sanctioned two Chinese companies it says have been exporting goods to North Korea, including transactions with a subsidiary of a North Korean firm involved with Pyongyang’s missile program.
Five North Korean shipping companies and their vessels were also added to Treasury’s sanctions list, part of a broader campaign by Washington to shut down the illegal trade routes used by North Korea.