The Trump administration blacklisted two North Korean-controlled information technology companies based in China and Russia on Thursday as it pushed for pr
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration blacklisted two North Korean-controlled information technology companies based in China and Russia on Thursday as it pushed for progress by Kim Jong Un’s government on denuclearization.
The Treasury Department announced it was designating China Silver Star, its North Korean CEO, Jong Song Hwa, and its Russia-based sister company, Volasys Silver Star.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the sanctions were intended to stop the flow of illicit revenue to North Korea from overseas IT workers hiding behind front companies and aliases. The designation blocks any property those targeted may have in the U. S. and prohibits Americans from doing business with them.
“Treasury is once again warning the IT industry, businesses, and individuals across the globe to take precautions to ensure that they are not unwittingly employing North Korean workers for technology projects by doing business with companies like the ones designated today,” Mnuchin said in a statement. “The United States will continue to fully enforce and implement sanctions until we have achieved the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea.”
North Korea sells a range of IT services and products abroad, including website and app development, security software and biometric identification software that have military and law enforcement applications, Treasury says.
The U. S. said that the companies targeted are also linked to the organizations involved in North’s weapons program.
