The South Korean government has imposed sanctions on seven individuals from North Korea and two vessels due to their alleged involvement in the illicit arms trade with Russia. According to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, these individuals were engaged in activities such as procuring materials and providing financial support for North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Their actions primarily revolved around transporting military supplies and facilitating the arms trade between Russia and North Korea.
The decision was made in light of increasing evidence that Russian forces have been utilizing North Korean weaponry, including missiles and other munitions, in their military operations in Ukraine. South Korea recently announced that it would be investigating after reports surfaced that 122-millimeter shells dating back decades were found in the region.
Additionally, South Korea has imposed these new sanctions due to allegations of involvement in the transportation of refined oil to North Korea, which goes against the restrictions set by the United Nations Security Council. These sanctions aim to limit the country to 500,000 barrels per year to impede the nuclear and missile programs of the Kim Jong Un regime.
In March, Washington and Seoul collaborated to establish a task force to prevent the illegal transfer of oil and other essential resources to North Korea.
Among the vessels targeted by South Korean sanctions are the Russian cargo ships Maia-1 and Maria. Tracking data and satellite images have shown that these ships, as well as the Angara and Lady R, have been involved in suspected arms shipments from North Korean ports to Russia on multiple occasions since last year.
Japan on Friday announced its suite of sanctions on 11 entities and one person, also in connection with illicit arms sales to Moscow.
"Russia's procurement of arms from North Korea violates the relevant U.N. resolutions that completely prohibit the transfer of arms and related materials to and from North Korea," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a press briefing, Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported.
Both Russia and North Korea have denied arms deals are taking place. The Russian Foreign Ministry and the North Korean embassy in China did not immediately respond to written requests for comment.
"These deliveries may have kept the null supplied with munitions for months," wrote the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies in an analysis published Wednesday.
"While these goods have generally been of lower quality than their Western alternatives, they have nonetheless kept the Russian Armed Forces relatively well supplied," the think tank said, adding that this has contributed to Russia's gains in Ukraine.
Japan and South Korea's twin sanctions packages come just days before they join China in Seoul for talks organized to find common ground amid tensions between Beijing and the U.S. allies.
The trilateral summit is expected to feature discussions on security issues, trade and economic cooperation, science and technology, sustainable development, and public health, The Japan Times cited government sources as saying.
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