The South Korean government has decided to impose sanctions on two organizations, two individuals, and one vessel for violating UN Security Council resolutions regarding sanctions against North Korea and participating in the trade of contraband goods from North Korea.
The following entities and individuals have been sanctioned:
- Sunrise 1, a vessel owned by the Hong Kong-based shipping company Xiangrui Shipping Co Ltd., was also sanctioned. According to investigations by South Korean authorities, this ship entered the port of Chongjin in North Korea between June 14 and June 17, 2024, where it loaded 5,020 tons of iron ore from North Korea, which is prohibited by paragraph 8 of UNSCR 2371. This resolution strictly prohibits transfers of North Korean iron ore.
- Sun Zhengzhe, a Chinese national, and Sun Feng are both individuals who run the Xiangrui company.
- The Russian company, CONSUL DV LLC, was sanctioned for receiving the iron ore that was transported on Sunrise 1.
Russia is actively cooperating with the DPRK. In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang at the invitation of Kim Jong-un. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.
