2024-01-17 01:52:00
This Wednesday, South Korea imposed sanctions on eleven ships and five individuals and entities involved in illegal transfers of oil and other products by ship to North Korea.
This hardening of its stance on the North’s maritime activities is part of Seoul’s efforts to discourage the sending of resources and obtaining financing from Pyongyang and thus hinder the development of its nuclear and missile program, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said today. .
This marks the first round of sanctions on ships by South Korea in regarding eight years, following suspicions that these vessels were involved in shipping refined oil, coal and other goods to the North.
Today’s new round of sanctions also includes two North Korean citizens: Pak Kyong-ran, an employee of the Korea Paek Sol company and that it is suspected that he bought ships used to transport oil to the North; and Min Myong-hak, from the Risang company, who would also have organized these ship-to-ship transfers.
The sanctioned entities include Risang itself, Mangang and Yua, which will now need authorization from the South Korean government to enter the country’s ports and will also not be able to carry out financial transactions without permission.
Seoul’s decision comes a day following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un asked to review the Constitution to define South Korea as “hostile country number one.” during the first day of the current session of the Supreme People’s Assembly (Parliament).
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