On Friday 9 December, the European Union imposed sanctions against eleven leaders and ten companies from North Korea. These measures are linked to the transposition into EU law of UN Security Council Resolution 2321, which was adopted on 30 November (see EUROPE 11680) in response to the North Korean nuclear test in September.
Ri Won Ho and Jo Yong Chol, two senior officials from the North Korean ministry for state security working in Syria, a designated entity, have had sanctions imposed on them, as have Kim Song Chol and Son Jong Hyok, senior managers from the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID), which is linked to North Korea's arms programme and is conducting activities in Syria. Also in connection with KOMID, Pak Chun Il and Kim Sok Chol, are now subject to sanctions.
Kim Chol Sam, a representative of Daedong Credit Bank, Kim Se Gon, who works for the ministry of the atomic energy industry, Chang Chang Ha, the head of the second academy of natural science, and Son Mun San, the director general of the office of foreign affairs at the general bureau of atomic energy are also added to the list of people subject to sanctions. Sanctions have also been imposed on their entities.
All these people are now forbidden visas within the EU and their assets have been frozen.
The Korea United Development Bank, Ilsim International Bank and Korea Daesong Bank have had their assets frozen, as have Singwang Economics and Trading General Corporation and the Korea Foreign Technical Trade Center, which are active in the field of coal, and the Korea Pugang Trading Corporation and the Korea International Chemical Joint Venture Company, which are linked to the defence sector. The same goes for shell-company DCB Finance Limited, and the Korea Taesong Trading Company, which are linked to entities already designated, and the Korea Daesong General Trading Corporation, which works especially in the export of minerals.
Elsewhere, the Council of the EU is due to adopt conclusions on North Korea on Monday 12 December, in which it will state that the EU is ready to take further autonomous sanctions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)