Seoul’s foreign ministry announced penalties on two individuals and two businesses Wednesday for alleged involvement in North Korea’s nuclear programs.
The government said the sanctions target Choi Chon Gon, a former South Korean who became Russian, his two enterprises, and a North Korean who backed him.
After becoming Russian, Choi is accused of aiding North Korea’s unlawful financial activities.
“It marks the first time our government has imposed unilateral sanctions on an individual of Korean descent,” the ministry stated.
Choi was unavailable for comment to Reuters.
Nuclear-armed North Korea has been testing its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, escalating tensions with Seoul and the South’s major ally, the US.
