US ramps up pressure on North Korea’s weapons supply chain with fresh sanctions. Washington accuses Myanmar’s junta of purchasing bombs and guidance kits from Pyongyang to target civilians.
Treasury Department targets entities and individuals linked to arms deals. Myanmar sees ongoing clashes between junta forces and rebels, resulting in heavy civilian casualties. US claims North Korea arms Myanmar military, fueling violence.
Statement from State Department highlights goals: halt funding for North Korea’s illicit weapons program and block junta’s attacks on civilian sites.
Sanctions hit Myanmar-based Royal Swelai Company Limited, its director, and two others. North Korea’s KOMID deputy, Kim Yong Ju, based in Beijing, coordinated sales.
The US Treasury Department on Thursday announced that Royal Shune Lei Co. Ltd in Yangon; its CEO Tin Myo Aung; director Aung Ko Ko Oo; and company employee Kyaw Thu Myo Myint; as well as Kim Ying Ju, KOMID’s deputy representative in Beijing, have been sanctioned for generating illicit revenue for the North Korean government’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs, including by selling weapons to the Myanmar military regime.
“Today’s action disrupts these weapons sales to Burma (Myanmar), cutting off an important funding stream for the DPRK (North Korea) regime,” the Treasury Department said.
“North Korea’s unlawful weapons programs are a direct threat to America and our allies. At Treasury, we will continue to dismantle the financial networks that sustain them,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.
Accused figure Cholung laundered foreign currency via Southeast Asian firms. Reports link him to Pyongyang’s intelligence service.
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Treasury officials view North Korea’s rogue weapons activities as direct threat to US and allies.
