In response to North Korea's recent test launch of the Hwasong Cannon-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the South Korean government announced the expansion of the sanctions list, including 11 North Korean individuals and 4 entities in the scope of unilateral sanctions. This move shows that South Korea has taken a tougher stance in dealing with the North Korean missile threat, especially the sanctions against North Korea's foreign exchange earnings and missile research and development activities abroad.

According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 1, the individuals subject to sanctions include Choi Cheol-min, a diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in China, and his spouse Choi Eun-jeong. Choi Cheol-min was accused of participating in the procurement of missile parts and assisting in sending North Korean workers to China to help North Korea earn foreign exchange abroad. His spouse Choi Eun-jeong was included in the sanctions list for raising dual-use materials needed for North Korea's missile development. In addition, the sanctions list also includes Choi Kwang-soo (transliteration), the former North Korean economic and trade representative in Mozambique, and Park Chun-san (transliteration) of the Korea National Insurance Corporation, who were accused of assisting North Korea's arms exports and raising funds for nuclear and missile projects respectively.

The South Korean government's sanctions also involve four entities involved in North Korean labor in Senegal. These companies are suspected of helping North Korea obtain foreign exchange through labor export to support military research and development. South Korea's sanctions are intended to cut off North Korea's income channels through dispatched labor and foreign trade activities to hinder the source of funds for its nuclear missile projects.

North Korea continues to advance missile tests, South Korea strengthens defense measures

In recent years, North Korea has continued to advance missile development and frequently conducts tests, and South Korea has remained highly vigilant. The range of the "Hwasong Cannon-19" intercontinental ballistic missile tested by North Korea covers the US mainland, increasing security concerns in the region and beyond. South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation with international allies at the NATO summit to deal with the increasingly severe military threat from North Korea.

This sanction is seen as a signal from South Korea to the international community that South Korea will work closely with allies such as the United States and Japan to jointly curb North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the sanctions will focus on North Korea's use of overseas labor and diplomatic networks to raise funds for nuclear weapons and missile development, and said that it will further cooperate with the international community to jointly strengthen pressure on North Korea.

International impact of sanctions and North Korea's foreign exchange income earning methods

North Korea has long relied on dispatched workers and diplomatic channels to generate income, and part of the income is used to support military research and development. In particular, North Korea's dispatched workers and trade activities in China, Africa and Southeast Asia provide foreign exchange support for the country. Some of the individuals and companies included in the South Korean sanctions this time obtained funds through labor exports and arms exports in Africa, Southeast Asia and other places to fill the foreign exchange gap of North Korea under international sanctions. South Korea's sanctions are not only aimed at cutting off North Korea's foreign exchange sources, but also at limiting its access to key missile research and development materials and reducing its potential expansion space in the military field.

North Korea's dispatched workers mostly work in construction, mining, manufacturing and other fields, and the foreign exchange they earn is remitted to the North Korean government's account to fund its economic and military development. Although the United Nations and many governments have imposed strict sanctions on North Korea, North Korea still circumvents sanctions through various means to maintain its ability to earn foreign exchange. Therefore, South Korea's sanctions are not only a response to North Korea's missile tests, but also an attempt to weaken the economic support for its nuclear and missile programs from the source.

Future Outlook: Sanctions may continue to escalate

As North Korea's missile threats increase, South Korea's sanctions on North Korea may be further intensified. South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it will continue to strengthen tracking of North Korea's illegal financial activities and trade networks in the future to further reduce North Korea's foreign exchange income and international space for activities. Analysts pointed out that if South Korea's unilateral sanctions are combined with joint sanctions from allies such as the United States and Japan, it will put more pressure on North Korea, but it may also lead to more provocative military actions by North Korea.

South Korea's expansion of the sanctions list is not only a response to North Korea's missile threats, but also a strong signal to North Korea on the international stage: South Korea will work closely with the international community to cut off North Korea's military funding sources and curb its military expansion. This move also means that South Korea will adopt a more systematic economic blockade against North Korea in the future to maintain regional stability and protect its own security.