UK government imposes new sanctions on North Korea’s defence minister No Kwang Choi and four generals over their support for Putin’s war effort in Ukraine

The UK government has recently announced new sanctions against North Korea’s defence minister, No Kwang Choi, following his involvement in sending thousands of North Korean troops to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The sanctions also target four other North Korean generals who have been implicated in aiding Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.

Sanctions to Increase Pressure on Russia and North Korea

In a statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that the UK is taking significant steps to tighten the economic pressure on Russia and North Korea.

As part of these measures, 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to support Russian forces on the ground in Ukraine, and the UK government has accused the sanctioned individuals of playing a role in enabling the exploitation of these troops as “cannon fodder” in Putin’s ongoing military aggression.

These sanctions are part of a broader, coordinated effort marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The UK’s Foreign Office has imposed measures on over 100 individuals and entities from Russia and other nations in an attempt to ramp up pressure on Putin’s regime and further isolate the Russian government internationally.

Keir Starmer and the Opposition’s Response

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, expressed that Russia’s economy has already been severely damaged by three years of Western sanctions.

He emphasized that the newly introduced sanctions are the largest since the early days of the war, and they are expected to push Russia closer to a point where President Putin may be forced to not only negotiate but also make significant concessions in peace talks.

New Sanctions Target Key Russian Assets and Military Supply Chains

In addition to the measures targeting North Korea, the new sanctions package specifically focuses on disrupting Russia’s military supply chain.

Restrictions have been placed on 40 Russian ships, accused of helping Putin evade sanctions related to Russian oil exports.

Among the individuals sanctioned is billionaire Roman Trotsenko, who, along with other Russian oligarchs, will face asset freezes and travel bans.

The sanctions also extend to producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics, and dual-use goods that are critical for Russia’s military, particularly from countries like China, Turkey, Thailand, and India, which have been supplying these materials to Russia’s military forces.

The UK’s Commitment to Supporting Ukraine

David Lammy reiterated that these sanctions are a strong demonstration of the UK’s commitment to Ukraine and its efforts to counter Russian aggression.

He stated, “Every military supply line disrupted, every rouble blocked, and every enabler of Putin’s aggression exposed is a step toward a just and lasting peace, and toward security and prosperity in the UK as part of this government’s Plan for Change.”

The government is focused on strengthening Ukraine’s position in the conflict, believing that lasting peace will only be achieved through a position of strength.

The UK hopes that by increasing economic pressure on Russia and its allies, it will help bring an end to the war and contribute to securing peace in the region.