The U.S. has imposed new sanctions targeting the arms trade network between North Korea and Myanmar, including state-owned entities and five senior officials.
Since Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, its armed forces have increased purchases of weapons and military equipment from North Korea, mainly through Myanmar’s Royal Sun Lei Company Limited and North Korea’s KOMID.
Sanctioned individuals include Royal Sun Lei director Aung Ko Ko Oo, officials Kyaw Thu Myo Mint and Thin Mio Aung, and KOMID deputy director Kim Yong Ju and officer Nam Chol Ung. KOMID officials reportedly funneled arms sale proceeds directly to the North Korean government and its Foreign Intelligence Agency, which has also been sanctioned previously.