The United States is sanctioning two Russian individuals and three entities in response to the DPRK's ongoing development of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Today's designations, which target a network of foreign individuals and companies that aid a DPRK defense industry-related procurement agent in Russia, are made pursuant to Executive Order 13687. As a result, any property or interests in property of the designated persons in the possession or control of U.S. persons or within the United States must be blocked, and U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing with any of the designated parties.
The DPRK's escalatory launches of ballistic missiles are a blatant violation of international law and pose a grave threat to regional stability and international peace and security. We remain committed to diplomacy and call on the DPRK to engage in dialogue. All the while, we will continue to implement and enforce existing sanctions to constrain its ability to advance its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.
