According to the latest reports, the United States has made efforts to disrupt illicit crypto-related networks that support North Korea’s government, announcing sanctions against two individuals and one entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The US Treasury Department particularly said the parties acted as front companies for the North Korean regime that performed operations to launder money and convert it into cryptocurrency before transferring millions of dollars directly back to Pyongyang, a city in North Korea.
The Perpetration
Reportedly, the funds were obtained from cybercrimes and IT workers, which contribute to North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs.
The two men — Lu Huaying and Zhang Jian — reportedly used a UAE front company, Green Alpine Trading LLC, to conduct the operation. The sanctions block their US assets and make it illegal for Americans to do business with them.
The Treasury Department highlighted the importance of these illegal networks in funding North Korea’s military aspirations. Bradley Smith acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence noted:
As the DPRK continues to use complex criminal schemes to fund its WMD and ballistic missile programs — including through the exploitation of digital assets — Treasury remains focused on disrupting the networks that facilitate this flow of funds to the regime
