The US and its allies have announced a new wave of sanctions against North Korea over its launch of a controversial spy satellite. The sanctions will also affect foreign agents they accuse of helping Pyongyang circumvent sanctions to obtain technology and revenue for its weapons of mass destruction programme.
The US also sanctioned cyber espionage group Kimsuky, accusing it of gathering intelligence to support North Korea’s strategic and nuclear ambitions.
Washington’s action, coordinated with Australia, Japan and South Korea, followed North Korea’s successful launch of its first reconnaissance satellite last week. Pyongyang said the purpose of the satellite launch was to monitor US and South Korean military activities.
The launch violated UN Security Council resolutions banning such launches by the North Korea, thereby drawing international condemnation. The missile technology can also be used for ballistic missiles that could potentially be used to deliver nuclear weapons.
After the launch, the North Korea said its spy satellite took images of important US facilities, including the White House, but did not publish the images, while its ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, defended the satellite launch. Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement, referring to South Korea by its official name:
Today’s actions by the United States, Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea reflect our collective commitment to contesting Pyongyang’s illicit and destabilizing activities. We will remain focused on targeting these key nodes in the DPRK’s illicit revenue generation and weapons proliferation.
On Friday, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced that 11 North Koreans have been sanctioned and banned from financial transactions because of their involvement in satellite and ballistic missile development.
On the same day, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said it had imposed sanctions on four entities, including the Kimsuky hacking group, and five individuals for their involvement in North Korea’s nuclear and weapons of mass destruction programmes or activities prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions.
According to the Treasury Department, Kimsuky, part of North Korea’s General Intelligence Bureau (RGB), has been active since 2012.
