South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that relevant authorities are investigating a South Korean company after the United States added it to a sanctions list over alleged violations of laws aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology.
The ministry said South Korea and the United States have been in ongoing communication and that Seoul was aware of the move in advance.
It added that the government has joined international efforts to prevent transfers of materials that could contribute to WMD development and said it will continue those efforts while staying in close contact with the United States.
The U.S. State Department said Tuesday, local time, that it designated six individuals and entities for sanctions over alleged illegal trade in WMD- and missile-related technology or items with North Korea or Iran and Syria, among others.
Those designated include South Korean company JS Research, North Korean national Choe Chol Min and the Foreign Affairs Bureau of North Korea’s Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS FAB). Companies from China, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates were also listed.
Under the sanctions, the targets are barred from U.S. government procurement contracts for goods and services. They also face limits on participation in U.S. government assistance programs and on transactions involving items listed on the U.S. Munitions List.
They also cannot obtain new licenses to receive export-controlled items under the Export Control Reform Act, and all existing licenses are suspended. The sanctions took effect Jan. 22 and will remain in place for two years.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.