U.S. Sanctions on Entity and Individuals Providing Procurement Support to the DPRK’s Unlawful Ballistic Missile Program

Second Academy of Natural Sciences Foreign Affairs Bureau (SANS FAB) is a procurement entity supporting the DPRK's defense research and design programs as well as the U.S.-designated Munitions Industry Department (MID). PRC- and Russia-based SANS FAB representatives, working together with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-based SANS FAB representatives, have engaged in extensive procurement activities for use in, and on behalf of, the DPRK's unlawful ballistic missile program.

SANS FAB is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of E.O. 13382 for engaging, or attempting to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to or posed a risk of materially contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer and use such items, by the DPRK, a foreign country of proliferation concern.

Rim Ryong Nam and Kim Yon Hui are DPRK nationals who, on behalf of MID, are involved in missile-related procurement, of ballistic-missile applicable items intended for use in the DPRK's unlawful ballistic missile program.

Since at least 2018, Rim Ryong Nam and Kim Yon Hui have, on multiple occasions, engaged in attempts to supply aluminum powder, an item that is used in rocket propellent, to the DPRK for use in ballistic missile manufacturing. Rim Ryong Nam and Kim Yon Hui have been directly involved in ballistic missile-related procurement transactions involving individuals and entities in the DPRK and the PRC, since at least 2018.

Since 2020, Rim Ryong Nam's wife, Kim Yon Hui, has played a significant role in operating his business in the PRC, including aluminum powder procurement for the DPRK's ballistic missile program. Since 2020, Kim Yon Hui, has been directly involved in multiple efforts to procure and ship aluminum powder from the PRC to the DPRK, on behalf of the MID, and intended for use in the DPRK's unlawful ballistic missile program.

Rim Ryong Nam and Kim Yon Hui are being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of E.O. 13382 for engaging, or attempting to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons) by the DPRK, a foreign country of proliferation concern.

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