Japan imposed sanctions against a Russian and a company from Russia because of North Korea

Japanese Foreign Ministry building

Japanese authorities have expanded restrictions on North Korea due to its launch of a reconnaissance satellite. Five people and four organizations were included in the sanctions list, according to a statement on the website of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The following were sanctioned by Tokyo:

Russian construction company "Intellect" with a legal address in Moscow; Versor SRO company from Slovakia (according to information on the website, it is engaged in trade in defense products); Air Koryo Trading Corporation from the DPRK; North Korean hacker group Kimsuky.

Among the individuals against whom restrictions were introduced is Russian Sergei Kozlov ( the United States considers him associated with Intellect). The sanctions list also included a citizen of Slovakia, Ashot Mkrtychev, and three citizens of the DPRK (one of them is a native of Pyongyang, Chong Chin-yong, who lives in Moscow).

At the end of August, the United States imposed sanctions against Kozlov, Chong Chin-yong and Intellect, also due to ties with the DPRK. Versor SRO was added to the sanctions list two weeks earlier.

According to the US Treasury, Chong Jin-young coordinated the construction project with a “front company” - the Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS), which the United States added to the sanctions list back in 2010 for participating or attempting to participate in transactions, concerning the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In turn, Kozlov helped Chong Chin-young in the purchase of equipment used in the shipbuilding industry, the department claims.

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Mkrtychev, a Slovakian citizen of Azerbaijani origin, came under US sanctions at the end of March. In Washington, he was accused of trying to mediate arms deals between Russia and North Korea. In addition, since the beginning of August, the businessman has been on the UK sanctions list for similar actions. Mkrtychev himself denied mediation in the arms trade between Russia and the DPRK.

In addition, Verus LLC, registered in Russia, is on the sanctions list of the US Treasury. According to the RBC Company service, its founder is Mkrtychev.

Pyongyang announced the launch of its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit on November 22.