South Korea Sanctions Russian Citizens and Assists The North Korean Weapons Program

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced new sanctions against Russian citizens and companies over their alleged involvement in North Korea's weapons program.

The sanction was imposed on Choi Chon Gon, a former South Korean citizen who obtained Russian citizenship.

Sanctions were also imposed on two of Choi's companies and a North Korean who supported Choi, the ministry said on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Choi is accused of aiding North Korea's illegal financial activities in violation of UN Security Council sanctions after acquiring Russian citizenship.

"This marks the first time our government has imposed unilateral sanctions against individuals of Korean descent," the ministry said in a statement.

Choi has yet to respond to the sanctions.

Nuclear-armed North Korea has tested a variety of weapons, including its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, ratcheting up tensions with Seoul and South Korea's main ally, the United States.