Coordinated actions taken by the State Department, the Department of Justice and the Department of the US Treasury testify to Washington's determination to Cut off the sources of income enabling the Kim Jong Una regime to develop a nuclear and ballistic program.
American officials have revealed that the funds obtained come from various types of criminal activities, including sophisticated cryptocurrency theft, large -scale frauds made by IT employees, trade of fake goods and illegal oil smuggling.
“North Korea's income generation programs in order to raise funds for dangerous and unlawful programs of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, are often directed against American companies and US citizens” – said the State Department in a statement, indicating a direct relationship between this practice and war in Ukraine.
“In many cases, the ballistic missiles have been illegally handed over to Russia, where they were used to attack Ukraine, including Kyiv” – we read in a statement.
Seven people in the USA
As part of the prize program for combating international organized crime (Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, TOCRP), the US Department of State has set awards for seven North Korea citizens.
The highest, in the amount of $ 7 million (PLN 25 million), was appointed for Sim Hyon-Sop, the main figure of these illegal operations.
Continued article under video material
For his alleged partners, Myong Chol -min and Kim Se-Una, a prize of up to $ 3 million was set. (PLN 11 million), and for Kim Yong-Boka, Kim Chol -min (known as “Jack”), Ri Tong-Kmina (known as “Elvis”) and Ri Won-Hoa-prizes of up to 500 thousand. hole. (PLN 1 million 800 thousand).
SIM HYON-SOP and others, including Kim Se-Un, are involved Illegal tobacco trafficking and extensive fraud with the participation of IT employees.
On Thursday afternoon, high -ranking American officials described in detail to journalists how North Korea sends thousands of highly qualified IT employees to work around the world.
These agents use false documents and stolen identities to get a well -paid remote work in nothing unsuspecting companies, including in the United States.
A significant part of their earnings, estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars, It is systematically transferred to the North Korean Government to finance the program for the development of weapons of mass destruction. Some of these IT employees were also to install malware in corporate networks.
Cover for illegal activities of Pyongyang
As part of extensive activities, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Korea Sobaex Trading Company (also known as Sobaex United Corporation), considering it as a cover for the Department of Przemysłu Przemysłowych, which is directly responsible for the Pyongyang nuclear program.
Sobaeks played a key role in obtaining materials for the production of nuclear weapons and sending teams of IT employees abroad to Vietnam to generate illegal income.
The Treasury Department also indicated three more people from North Korea, whose assets subject to US jurisdiction were immediately blocked. The Department of Justice also revealed indictments against seven North Korea citizens for evading sanctions related to illegal counterfeit trade in cigarettes.
In addition, Washington drew attention to the case of Christina Marie Chapman, an American citizen who is accused of IT fraud, as a result of which Over 300 American companies have suffered losses.
The “Rewards for Justice” State Department program (“Awards for Justice”) offers a fixed prize of up to $ 5 million. (PLN 18 million) for intelligence information that will help in thwarting the financial mechanisms and the schemes of celebrating sanctions supporting North Korea.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
