The United States, in coordination with the Republic of Korea and Japan, imposed sanctions on two individuals and one entity for their involvement in generating revenue for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This action was taken in response to the DPRK's attempted satellite launch, according to a U.S. Department of the Treasury press release.
“In furtherance of the Administration’s commitment to coordinate our responses to regional challenges, today’s action — along with the actions of our allies and partners — targets the facilitation networks that enable the DPRK’s ballistic missile and WMD programs, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in the Aug. 31 release. “The United States will continue to coordinate closely with the Republic of Korea and Japan in our collective effort to combat the DPRK’s unlawful and destructive activities.”
Sanctions were imposed on Jon Jin Yong and Sergey Mikhaylovich Kozlov, as well as Intellekt LLC for their involvement in generating revenue for DPRK's unlawful development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles, the release reported.
Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States initiated the penalties in response to the DPRK's Aug. 23 failed attempt to launch a reconnaissance satellite into orbit. Their aim is to target facilitation networks enabling the DPRK's WMD and missile programs, which violate U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to the release.
The sanctions specifically focus on the two individuals who played direct roles in supporting and generating revenue for DPRK organizations linked to WMD. Jon Jin Yong, based in Russia, collaborated with Kozlov to oversee the use of DPRK construction workers in Russia, the release said.
Kozlov, in turn, has provided assistance to Yong in procuring items commonly used in the ship-building industry. Jon Jin Yong also led a team of DPRK information technology (IT) workers in Russia and collaborated with Russian nationals to obtain identification documents for validating the DPRK IT team's accounts on freelance IT work platforms, the release reported.
In accordance with Executive Order 13687, which pertains to additional sanctions on North Korea, Jon Jin Yong is designated for his affiliation with the Workers' Party of Korea, previously sanctioned in March 2016 under Executive Order 13722. Kozlov is designated under the same Executive Order for materially assisting, sponsoring or providing financial, material or technological support to Jon Jin Yong, the release noted.
Furthermore, Jon Jin Yong was involved in coordinating a construction project in Moscow between Intellekt LLC and a cover company associated with the Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS). The U.S. Department of State had designated SANS Aug. 30, 2010, under Executive Order 13382 for its engagement in activities contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the release said.
These sanctions are expected to hinder SANS' ability to utilize foreign-based agents to procure financial and material support from DPRK representatives and companies seeking to bypass U.S. and U.N. sanctions. Intellekt LLC, owned or controlled by Kozlov, is designated under Executive Order 13687 as well, according to the release.
