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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

OFAC designates North Korean operative working in Vietnam

Financial Crimes Department of Treasury Of Interest to Non-US Persons OFAC Sanctions North Korea

Financial Crimes

On July 29, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the addition of a North Korean individual operating in Vietnam to the Specially Designated Nationals List pursuant to Executive Order 13687. According to OFAC, the individual works on behalf of the Munitions Industry Department (MID), a Workers’ Party of Korea subordinate, and was responsible for trade activity that earned currency for the North Korean regime, which violates the United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and supports North Korea’s weapons program. OFAC notes that its regulations “generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States that involve” transactions with the designated entities and individuals. Moreover, OFAC warned foreign financial institutions that if they knowingly facilitate significant transactions for any of the designated entities or individuals, they may be subject to U.S. correspondent account or payable-through account sanctions which, if imposed, could restrict their access to the U.S. financial system.