The US government has announced the latest sanctions against Chinese entities and individuals, accusing them of being involved in supporting North Korea’s ballistic missile and space programs. The new sanctions demonstrate the US commitment to combatting evasion of sanctions and strengthening enforcement efforts.
On Wednesday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a statement declaring sanctions against a procurement network consisting of 6 individuals and 5 entities in China. This network, headquartered in mainland China, has been engaged in procuring items in support of North Korea’s ballistic missile and space programs.
Brian Nelson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the US Department of the Treasury, stated, “North Korea continues to develop and proliferate ballistic missile technology, which violates UN sanctions and is irresponsible and destabilizing for the region and the international community.”
Nelson emphasized, “The US remains committed to using our tools to enforce these international sanctions, including dismantling illegal procurement networks that provide critical assistance for these technologies and holding accountable those who attempt to facilitate these activities.”
The entities newly sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury include: Beijing Jinghua Qidi Electronic Technology Co., Ltd; Beijing Sanshunda Electronics Science and Technology Co., Ltd; Qidong Hengcheng Electronics Factory; Shenzhen City Mean Well Electronics Co., Ltd; Yidatong Tianjin Metal Materials Co., Ltd.
The individuals sanctioned for their involvement in the illegal procurement network are: Chen Tianxin, Du Jiaxin, Han Dejian, Shi Anhui, Shi Qianpei, and Wang Dongliang. These individuals have provided financial, material, technological, and other support to North Korea through the aforementioned companies, including sensitive electronic products and materials for manufacturing missiles and satellites.
Under the new sanctions, the assets and property interests of these sanctioned individuals in the US or held or controlled by US persons are frozen, and they are required to report to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Furthermore, any entity in which one or more frozen persons directly or indirectly hold alone or in aggregate 50% or more ownership will also be frozen, unless granted an exemption.
The statement points out that North Korea has openly violated multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, continuing to conduct launches using ballistic missile technology, including a recent attempt at the end of May to place a military satellite into orbit which ultimately failed.
The statement further adds that North Korea has provided ballistic missiles to Russia, enabling Russia to continue attacks against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.
Countries have long been concerned about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The US has accused Beijing and Moscow of obstructing a unified response from the UN Security Council on the North Korea issue. However, the Chinese government has claimed to “strictly implement UN Security Council resolutions and fulfill international obligations seriously.” In May 2022, China and Russia vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang.