The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continues its unprecedented pace, scale and scope of ballistic missile launches this year. This year alone, it launched 41 ballistic missiles. Six of these were intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on two individuals and three entities associated with the supply of refined petroleum to the DPRK, an action that directly supports the development of the DPRK’s weapons programs and its military.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designates the entity New Eastern Shipping Co Ltd., along with the individuals Kwek Kee Seng and Chen Shih Huan, to participate in the transfer or delivery of refined petroleum products. the DPRK. OFAC also designated two entities owned or controlled by these individuals: Anfsar Trading (S) Pte. Ltd and Swanseas Port Services Pte. Ltd.
UN Security Council resolutions ban ship-to-ship transfers of all cargo to or from DPRK-flagged vessels and limit DPRK imports of refined petroleum products to 500,000 barrels per year starting in 2018 — a cap the DPRK has broken every year since it was imposed . All imports of refined petroleum into the DPRK under the cap are illegal unless reported to the UN 1718 Committee.
By designating these entities and individuals, the United States is sending a clear message that we will continue to support actions against those who support the development and maintenance of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal.
For more information on today’s actions, please see the press release of the Department of the Treasury.
