The United States has announced sanctions against 11 individuals and eight entities for their roles in supporting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its military collaboration with Russia. These measures, issued under several Executive Orders targeting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and related activities, aim to curb North Korea’s provocative actions and destabilizing behavior.
The sanctions come in response to recent actions by the DPRK, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test conducted on October 31, 2024, and the launch of seven short-range ballistic missiles on November 5. These tests mark the continuation of North Korea’s aggressive global military posturing and exacerbate tensions in the region.
North Korea’s involvement extends beyond its missile program. The regime has sent troops to Russia, where they have been integrated into Russian forces, and has supplied military equipment, munitions, ballistic missile launchers, and ballistic missiles to Moscow. Such actions represent a significant threat to regional and global security.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the DPRK relies on foreign-based workers, state-owned entities, and financial institutions to generate revenue for its illicit WMD and ballistic missile programs. To counter these activities, sanctions under Executive Order 13382 target two individuals and one entity involved in the DPRK’s unlawful weapons development efforts.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury also implemented additional actions pursuant to Executive Orders 13382, 13551, 13687, 13810, and 14024, focusing on North Korea’s financial and logistical networks that facilitate its weapons programs.
“These sanctions underscore the United States’ commitment to addressing the threat posed by North Korea’s illegal weapons programs and its dangerous alliance with Russia,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The United States continues to call on North Korea to halt its provocations and on the international community to unite in countering the threat posed by the DPRK’s actions.
For more details on the sanctions, see the State Department’s Fact Sheet and the Treasury Department’s press release.