Today, the United States is designating two Beijing-based Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) nationals connected to the DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) procurement. The DPRK’s development of its missile programs directly threatens regional and international security, and the United States will continue to take action to curtail activities in support of those programs.
The United States is designating Choe Chol Min and his wife Choe Un Jung. Choe Chol Min has worked with DPRK weapons trading officials, People’s Republic of China (PRC) nationals, and other associates to procure materials used in the production of DPRK missiles. He has also supported Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS) representatives to facilitate the importation of over a thousand DPRK workers into the PRC to unlawfully generate income abroad for the DPRK regime. Choe Un Jung, who is officially assigned to the DPRK Embassy in the PRC, helped coordinate an order with one or more SANS associates for dual-use bearings used in DPRK missile production.
Choe Chol Min is being designated for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the SANS, pursuant to Executive Order 13382. Choe Un Jung is being designated for being a North Korean person who has engaged in commercial activity that generates revenue for the Government of North Korea or the Workers’ Party of Korea, pursuant to Executive Order 13810. For more information about this designation, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release.