TAIPEI, Taiwan – Britain has imposed sanctions on senior North Korean officials linked to their country’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine as part of what the United Kingdom said was its largest sanctions package against Russian individuals and institutions since the early days of the war.
As many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia to fight Ukrainian forces who occupied parts of Russia’s Kursk region in August, according to Ukraine and the United States, although neither North Korea nor Russia has acknowledged their presence.
The British foreign office announced sanctions against five North Korean defense officials on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
They included Kim Yong Bok, No Kwang Chol, Ri Song Jin, Ri Chang Ho and Sin Kum Chol, as well as 102 other individuals and entities.
Kim Yong Bok, the deputy chief of staff of the Korean People’s Army, reportedly arrived in Russia in October to oversee North Korean troops there helping Russia.
Kim’s profile has risen over the past year. His position as deputy chief of the army was confirmed when he was reported in state media as a member of leader Kim Jong Un’s entourage on a visit to an operational training base in western North Korea in March.
No Kwang Chol is known to have played a major role in strengthening military ties with Moscow since resuming his position as defense minister in October, including holding talks with his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov, in November.
Ri Song Jin, the North’s top missile engineer, has risen in prominence in recent years as an official at both the National Aerospace Technology Administration and the General Missile Bureau, often appearing alongside Kim Jong Un at military sites.
Ri Chang Ho holds a high-ranking position in North Korea’s hierarchy as the head of the U.S.-sanctioned Reconnaissance General Bureau, its top military intelligence agency, while Sin Kum Chol serves as director of the Operations Bureau of the Korean People’s Army General Staff.
Ri Chang Ho and Sin Kum Cho were also included in the sanctions list announced by the European Union on Monday, alongside more than 80 individuals and entities, over supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
The U.K. added it was also sanctioning producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics and dual-use goods including microprocessors used in weapons systems. These were based in a range of third countries including Central Asian states, Turkey, Thailand, India and China.
There was no immediate response from Russia or North Korea to the British sanctions but a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in London said they harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, adding that they had “no basis in international law.”
“China firmly opposes this and has made solemn representations to the U.K. side,” the embassy said in a statement on its website.
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Australia, New Zealand and Canada
Britain’s Commonwealth allies, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, joined in imposing sanctions on Russia and people and entities promoting military cooperation between it and North Korea.
Australia announced on Tuesday that financial sanctions and travel bans were imposed on 70 people, while financial sanctions were imposed on 79 companies, adding that the individuals supported Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories.
New Zealand also announced sanctions on 52 entities and individuals linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex, energy sector, North Korea’s support for Russia’s war, and the forced deportation or re-education of Ukrainian children.
Three North Korean officials – Kim Yong Bok, Ri Chang Ho and Sin Kum Chol – were included in the sanctions list by both Australia and New Zealand.
Separately, Canada announced sanctions on Friday against 76 individuals and entities and 109 ships linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Although Canada did not target North Korean officials, it did include multiple companies allegedly involved in North Korea-Russia cooperation.
These include the shipping services Toplivo Bunkering Company, Vostochnaya Stevedoring Company, Global Ports Managing Company, Azia Shipping Holding and Ibex Shipping.
North Korea and Russia have been deepening their military and economic ties in recent months, with Pyongyang reportedly supplying Moscow with large quantities of munitions and other military aid for its war in Ukraine.
In return, Russia has provided technological assistance and expanded cooperation in various sectors, fueling concerns over potential arms transfers and security threats.
High-level meetings between officials from both countries, including defense ministers, have signaled a growing strategic partnership.
Edited by Mike Firn.