Washington has imposed fresh sanctions on a Myanmar-based arms procurement network accused of sourcing weapons from North Korea, including aerial bombs and guidance kits used by Myanmar’s military. The move, announced on Thursday, targets five individuals and one company allegedly involved in facilitating arms deals that fund Pyongyang’s weapons programmes.

 

The US State Department said the sanctions aim to disrupt a supply chain that has enabled Myanmar’s junta to carry out indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure since seizing power in 2021. Central to the network is Royal Shune Lei Company Limited, a Myanmar firm linked to the purchase of North Korean military equipment.

 

Among those sanctioned are company director Aung Ko Ko Oo, along with Kyaw Thu Myo Myint and Tin Myo Aung, who reportedly worked with Kim Yong Ju, a Beijing-based deputy representative of North Korea’s Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID). KOMID, also known as the 221 General Bureau, is North Korea’s primary arms exporter and has long been under international scrutiny.

 

The US Treasury also designated Nam Chol Ung, a North Korean national accused of laundering foreign currency through a web of businesses across Southeast Asia. He is believed to be affiliated with Pyongyang’s main foreign intelligence agency, already under US sanctions.

 

“North Korea’s unlawful weapons programmes are a direct threat to America and our allies,” said John Hurley, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

 

Neither the Myanmar firm nor the individuals named could be reached for comment. North Korea’s UN mission and Myanmar’s embassy in Washington have yet to respond.

 

A former UN panel monitoring North Korean sanctions previously flagged military cooperation between Pyongyang and Myanmar, including the transfer of missile expertise and materials. Efforts to dismantle these ties began under the first Trump administration, but the latest sanctions suggest the network remains active.

 

The announcement underscores growing concerns over regional arms trafficking and the role of covert networks in sustaining authoritarian regimes.

 

 

-2025-09-26

That's rich, coming from one of, if not, the largest seller and exporter of death 

@KhunLA   very true, also the largest hypocrites in the world.

6 minutes ago, johng said:

@KhunLA   very true, also the largest hypocrites in the world.

Not sure about the largest, but spew their share of BS, along with all the other self serving govts, spewing their own hypocrisy