The U.S. Sanctions a North Korean Couple for 'Involvement in Iran's Missile Program'

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a North Korean couple residing in Beijing, China, for their alleged involvement in Iran's missile program. In a statement, the Treasury announced that a secret North Korean organization responsible for missile and nuclear weapons development sent over a thousand workers to China with the help of North Korean nationals in Beijing and sold electronic equipment to Iran. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) stated in the announcement that China was implicated in supplying weapon materials, but the new sanctions were directed solely at the two North Korean nationals. One of the individuals works at the North Korean embassy in Beijing. They are accused of bringing workers from North Korea to China to manufacture missile materials and components for Iran. The Treasury's announcement regarding the new sanctions came just hours after North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan). The statement mentions that North Korea 'continues to utilize a network of representatives in foreign countries, including China and Iran, who are involved in the illegal import of necessary components for the research and development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, which constitutes a violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions.' The first of the two sanctioned individuals is a North Korean man named Choe Chol Min, who is described by OFAC as a representative of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS) in Beijing. OFAC characterized this academy as 'a national-level organization responsible for the research and development of advanced weapon systems in North Korea, including missiles and potential nuclear weapons.' OFAC claims to have evidence that Choe worked with Chinese nationals to 'purchase and procure items recognized as materials used in the production of North Korean ballistic missiles' after receiving requests from Pyongyang. In a potential indicator of large-scale weapons-related activities in China, OFAC states that Choe 'cooperated with SANS representatives to facilitate the dispatch of over a thousand North Korean workers to China.' Without specifying the origin or type of electronic equipment sent to Iran, OFAC mentioned that Choe also 'worked with North Korean arms trade officials to procure electronic equipment for Iranian customers.' The second sanctioned individual is Choe's wife. OFAC's statement noted that she 'assisted at least once in coordinating orders with one or more SANS colleagues for the procurement of dual-use components used in the production of North Korean ballistic missiles.' Choe Un Jong currently works officially at the North Korean embassy in China. OFAC did not reference the timing of any of the alleged activities. This report was compiled using the Treasury Department's statement and NK News reports.