North Korea-Russia intelligence talks, North Korea-Japan summit delayed, ROK-US sanctions against North Korea, Japan arms exports
North Korea talks with a Russian intelligence delegation and suddenly delays summit negotiations with Japan, and Japan shows permission to export advanced fighter jets to Vietnam.
On the 27th, South Korea announced ‘joint sanctions on six individuals and organizations involved in illegal financing and profit generation through North Korean information technology (IT) overseas workers’ in response to sanctions against North Korea with the United States.
On the 26th, the Japanese government allowed overseas sales of advanced jet fighters jointly developed with the UK and Italy four months ago, and then announced on the same day that it would ‘relax military equipment export restrictions’.
The arms export relaxation changes approved by the Japanese Cabinet on this day apply to jet fighter exports and to the 15 countries that have signed the defense equipment transfer agreement with Japan for the peaceful resolution of international disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, with Vietnam and India being the main target countries. .
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 28th that North Korea's National Security Minister Ri Chang-dae discussed strengthening intelligence cooperation in Pyongyang from the 25th to the 27th with a delegation including Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin.
North Korea's Workers' Party Vice-Minister Kim Yo-jong said on the 26th that she was not interested in a summit with Japan and would refuse any talks, the Korean Central News Agency reported on this day.
Vice Minister Kim, the younger sister of North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un, announced the day before that Japan had requested a summit without preconditions and that Japan would only welcome the summit if it was ready to "make a new start and not be bound by the past."
Fumio Kishida refused to directly respond to Kim Yo-jong's remarks on the 26th, and announced the continuation of North Korea-Japan negotiations by late telling reporters, "Japan will continue its efforts to resolve the problem with North Korea based on existing policies."
The Korean Central News Agency said, “Russian Director Sergey Naryshkin and North Korean State Security Minister Ri Chang-dae briefed each other on the international and regional situation on the Korean Peninsula and Russia,” adding, “During the Russian delegation’s visit to Korea, officials from the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also “We had working-level talks,” he said.
The news agency went on to say that the two sides discussed further strengthening cooperation to combat "the ever-increasing espionage and conspiracy movements of hostile forces."
Reuters reported that a delegation led by Kim Song-nam, head of the North Korean Workers' Party's International Department, visited Vietnam and met with Truong Thi Mai, a standing member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in Hanoi on the 26th.
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency said of the meeting with Vietnam, "The bilateral meeting discussed strengthening cooperation and improving relations."
On the 27th, the United States announced sanctions against North Korea against six individuals and two entities based in Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, charging them with funding North Korea's weapons program.
On this day, South Korea announced sanctions on four of the six individuals and two organizations subject to U.S. sanctions.
In a press release on the 27th, the U.S. Treasury announced <Announcing joint sanctions against South Korea, the U.S., and North Korean financial facilitators>, “Today, the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) established a base in Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates through cooperation with Korea.” “We have sanctioned six individuals and two corporations that generate profits and facilitate financial transactions for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” the statement said.
The press release continued, “Funds raised through these actors are ultimately used to support North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program,” and “South Korea is committed to illegal financing and profit creation through North Korean information technology (IT) overseas workers.” The six individuals and organizations involved are designated as targets of joint sanctions. “This measure also accompanies the 6th ROK-US North Korea Cyber Threat Working Group,” he said.
Regarding the sanctions, the U.S. Treasury Department said, “The measures target designated North Korean bank agents along with companies that employ North Korean IT workers overseas,” and pointed out “North Korean bank representatives, IT workers, and hiring companies,” and specifically, “They are located in Russia and China.” These actors, operating through networks, organize schemes, establish fronts or front companies, manage secret bank accounts to move and disguise illicit funds, evade sanctions, and target North Korea's illicit weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and “Financing the ballistic missile program.”
Brian E. Nelson, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in announcing the sanctions, "The joint (ROK-U.S.) actions reflect our commitment to thwarting North Korea's efforts to generate revenue for its illegal and destabilizing activities." “We will continue to take action with our partners to protect the international financial system and prevent North Korea from funding its illegal weapons programs,” he said.
Alis (Alis LLC), a limited liability company listed on U.S. sanctions, is a subsidiary of U.S.-designated Chinyong, headquartered in Vladivostok, Russia. Between 2021 and 2022, Alis LLC paid a total of more than $2.5 million to its parent company, the U.S. Treasury said. .
The sanctioned Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate is a Chinyong subsidiary, and Jon Yon Gun, head of the UAE headquarters team, was involved in coordinating payments from Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate to Chinyong, the U.S. Treasury said.
Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy began exporting Japan's advanced jet fighter development last year under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).
Three companies, the Joint Organized Industry Group established by BAE Systems PLC in the UK, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, and Leonardo in Italy, will develop and deploy advanced fighter aircraft over the next 10 years, and Japan selected the US, Germany, Vietnam, and India as the main export destinations.