U.S. law enforcement action centered on Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company — a North Korean company allegedly used as a front for the country’s Munitions Industry Department, which oversees the DPRK’s nuclear program and is involved in the development of ballistic missiles. “The DPRK relies on front companies like Korea Sobaesku Trading Company and key facilitators to procure materials and generate revenue for the regime’s illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs,” said Bradley Smith, director of the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The Treasury Department included another Kim Se subordinate, Myong Chol Min, in the sanctions, writing that in addition to facilitating the IT worker scheme, he tried to import tobacco and other products into North Korea. Kim Se Un, Jo Kyong Hun and Myong Chol Min are accused of helping North Korea evade U.S. and United Nations sanctions through an IT worker plot that involved tricking companies into hiring North Koreans using stolen identities. Three senior North Korean officials involved in IT schemes have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. Alongside the actions announced by the Treasury Department, the Justice Department unsealed indictments against seven North Korean nationals accused of trafficking counterfeit cigarettes. North Korean officials ran the IT worker scheme through the company and used it to operate in Vietnam as well as other countries. North Korea has been able to earn millions from getting workers hired in high-paying roles at U.S. companies. The scheme is used specifically to fund North Korea’s ballistic missile programs, according to the State Department.
This Cyber News was published on therecord.media. Publication date: Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:05:16 +0000