Three companies and one individual sanctioned
Russia and North Korea deny ‘weapons deal’
The United States has decided to sanction Russian companies and individuals involved in the transfer of North Korean ballistic missiles for use in the war in Ukraine.
According to Reuters on the 11th (local time), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement that sanctions have been decided against three Russian institutions and one individual.
Secretary Blinken said, “North Korea’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia supports Russia’s aggressive war and exacerbates the suffering of the Ukrainian people,” and pointed out that it “also weakens the global non-proliferation system.” He also warned, “We will not hesitate to take additional measures.”
Previously, the United States and the West issued a joint statement claiming that Russia had procured North Korean short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) for use in attacks on Ukraine. Supporting this, Russia launched several missiles at Kharkiv, Ukraine last week, killing two people and injuring more than 60. The attack was one of the largest missile attacks since the war began in February 2022.
However, Russia and North Korea denied that there had been a weapons deal, although it is true that the relationship between the two countries has become closer since the outbreak of the war.
North Korea has been under a weapons embargo from the UN since its first nuclear test in 2006. The UN Security Council also prohibits countries from trading weapons or other military equipment with North Korea.
By. Dae Young Ko
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