US Imposes Sanctions on China-Based Network for Assisting North Korea

The United States on Wednesday revealed sanctions made against a network of about a half a dozen people along with five firms in China. The US accuses these firms of backing the ballistic missile and space programs that are operated in North Korea

According to reports, the network is reporte to have aided North Korean in procurin items for its ballistic missile programs. The US treasury Department further reported that these ballisitc missile programs were being used in “flagrant violation” of the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement that North Korea’s continuous development of its ballistic missile technologies “is both irresponsible and destabilizing for both the region and the international community.”

“The United States remains committed to using our tools to enforce these international sanctions, including disrupting the illicit procurement networks that provide key inputs for these technologies,” he added.

The US Treasury further stated that the space and ballistic missile programs of North Korea employed an “extensive network” of agents stationed overseas in order to procure the materials that are required from the foreign sources. These materials included personnel for its diplomatic missions along with trade offices, “as well as third-country nationals.”

the Treasury went on to add that it also uses foreign firms in order to purchase the items it requires.

Shi Qianpei, a Chinese national, was one of those sanctioned by the Treasury on Wednesday. According to the Treasury Department, Shi Qianpei had collaborated with a previously-designated person headquartered in Beijing to get metal sheets needed for the manufacturing of North Korean missiles.

The Treasury added that two of Shi Qianpei’s workers as well as his business partner and wife Chen Tianxin, who assisted with the procurement operations, were also sanctioned.

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