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Taiwan probing citizen accused of helping N. Korea fuel procurement

ROC Central News Agency

10/09/2022 02:35 PM

Taipei, Oct. 9 (CNA) A Taiwanese man is being investigated by the Ministry of Justice after he was named among several people and firms recently sanctioned by the United States for allegedly helping North Korea procure fuel in contravention of United Nations sanctions.

The ministry said Saturday that it is reviewing evidence to determine whether to impose targeted financial sanctions on Chen Shih-huan (陳詩煥) for allegedly violating the Counter-Terrorism Financing Act.

According to the U.S. Department of State, it has imposed sanctions on two individuals and three entities for alleged involvement in the delivery of refined petroleum to North Korea, which the U.S. claimed "directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military," using the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The sanctions targeted two Singapore-registered companies and a Marshall Islands-registered firm, as well as Chen and Kwek Kee Seng of Singapore, the department said in a press release on Oct. 7.

"By designating these entities and individuals, the United States is sending a clear message that we will continue to take actions against those who support the development and sustainment of the DPRK's military and weapons arsenal," said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the sanctions will restrict the companies and individuals from engaging in financial transactions in the U.S. or with U.S. entities due to their involvement in the ownership or management of a vessel that has participated in several deliveries of refined petroleum to the DPRK.

The delivery has violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean vessels and that cap the country's refined petroleum imports, according to the State Department.

The U.S. sanctions came amid an escalating series of missile tests by North Korea, which has fired 41 ballistic missiles so far this year, including the provocative launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan on Oct. 4.

(By Hsiao Po-wen and Lee Hsin-Yin)

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