The United States has imposed new sanctions on North Korea and Russia in response to their growing military cooperation. This latest action by the US is aimed at disrupting the support North Korea has been providing to Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. These sanctions are a direct response to North Korea’s support of Russia’s military efforts, which have included providing weapons, soldiers, and other forms of assistance. The US hopes that these measures will weaken the military ties between the two countries and send a clear message to both Pyongyang and Moscow about the consequences of their actions.
Targeting North Korea’s Financial and Military Support
The sanctions include measures aimed at North Korean banks, generals, and other officials who have been playing a key role in supporting Russia. Among the banks blacklisted are the Golden Triangle Bank, which is one of the largest financial institutions in North Korea’s Rason Special Economic Zone, and Korea Mandal Credit Bank, which operates in China as well. These financial institutions are accused of helping to fund and support North Korea’s military activities.
In addition to targeting banks, the US has also sanctioned North Korean military officials. These individuals are involved in overseeing North Korean soldiers who are deployed to Russia. For instance, one of the generals, Kim Yong Bok, has been part of several key military events with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year. This suggests that the North Korean military presence in Russia is being carefully coordinated at the highest levels of the government.
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Russia’s Role in the Military Cooperation
The sanctions are also directed at Russian companies involved in supporting the military alliance between Russia and North Korea. One of the main targets is Vostok Trading, a company that has been shipping large quantities of oil and gas to North Korea. These shipments are believed to violate United Nations sanctions, which prohibit such trade with North Korea. Other companies targeted in the sanctions include DV Ink and Novosibirskoblgaz, which are also accused of facilitating illegal shipments of energy resources to North Korea.
Satellite images have shown that North Korean oil tankers have made numerous trips to Russia’s Far Eastern port of Vostochny, picking up thousands of barrels of oil. This activity is believed to have started in 2022 and continues today, despite the sanctions in place against North Korea. Experts estimate that North Korea has received over 1 million barrels of oil from Russia during an eight-month period this year alone. These shipments help North Korea bypass international sanctions that are meant to cripple its economy and military programs.
Military Cooperation and Troop Deployment
North Korea’s support to Russia goes beyond just financial aid and oil. The two countries have reportedly been involved in direct military cooperation, with North Korean soldiers being deployed in Russia. It is believed that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine. These soldiers are part of a special force called the Storm Corps, which is a highly trained unit within North Korea’s military.
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In recent weeks, reports have emerged that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were injured or killed in the Kursk region of Russia, where they were participating in combat operations against Ukrainian forces. This marks a significant increase in the number of North Korean soldiers involved in the conflict. While Russia has not officially confirmed the presence of North Korean troops, it is clear that the military ties between the two nations are deepening.
International Reactions to the Military Cooperation
These activities are seen as a dangerous expansion of the conflict in Ukraine. The United States and its allies have condemned these actions, calling them a direct violation of United Nations sanctions that prohibit military cooperation between North Korea and any country involved in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. The US has made it clear that it will continue to take steps to disrupt the military and financial activities that enable this cooperation.
In addition to the sanctions from the United States, South Korea has also imposed its own measures. These include blacklisting individuals and organizations linked to illicit military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The South Korean government’s actions are in line with the global effort to cut off the resources that fuel the war in Ukraine and to prevent North Korea from becoming further involved in Russia’s military operations.
Through these sanctions, the US is signaling that it will not tolerate North Korea’s support for Russia’s military aggression. The aim is to weaken the connections between the two nations and to hold both accountable for their violations of international law and security.
