The United States has imposed sanctions on Indians and other nationals for human rights violations and abuses on behalf of North Korea

Posted On: December 10, 2022

The United States has imposed sanctions on two individuals, including Indian nationals, and seven entities for providing material support, acting on behalf of, or owning a North Korean animation studio, which uses its workers to provide cheap labor.

The United States took the step Friday on International Anti-Corruption Day and on the eve of International Human Rights Day as part of its efforts to promote accountability for corruption. and human rights violations around the world.

According to the State Department, the United States has sanctioned two individuals and seven entities for providing material support to the SEK Studio animation studio operated by the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), acting on behalf of this one or being the owner.

The targets were: Kim Myong Chol, based in France. Everlasting Empire Limited, based in Hong Kong; Tian Fang (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, headquartered in Hong Kong; Fujian Nan’an Import and Export Corporation, based in China; Kinoatis LLC, headquartered in the Russian Federation; Funsaga Pte Ltd, based in Singapore; Deepak Subhash Jadhav is based in India; Yancheng Three Line One Point Animation Co., Ltd., based in China; Quanzhou Yiyangjin Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd., based in China. Jadhav is a director of Funsaga Pte Ltd. based in India and signed a contract with SEK to produce animation projects with payments to Quanzhou Yiyangjin Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd. and Yancheng Three Line One Point Animation Co., Ltd. US Treasury Department.

An SEK official said Jadhav handed over $15,000 to Quanzhou Yiyangjin Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd and Funsaga Pte Ltd handed over $50,000 to SEK, with some of the money having transferred to Tian Fang (HK) Holdings. ltd. Kinoatis LLC sent over US$100,000 to Fujian Nanan Import and Export Corporation, acting as a subsidiary of SEK, to pay for the animation project.

Jadhav, Funsaga Pte Ltd and Kinoatis LLC have been appointed to assist, sponsor or provide financial, material or material support of technology, goods or services to or support SEK, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.

Kim Myong Chol is a Paris-based SEK representative facilitating payment transactions for SEK in 2022, including collecting overdue payments on contracts between European companies and SEK.

Everlasting Empire Limited, Tian Fang (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Yancheng Three Line One Point Animation Co., Ltd. and Quanzhou Yiyangjin Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd. and Fujian Nanan Import and Export Corporation facilitating financial transactions on behalf of SEK.

“SEK Studio, which was previously hired on December 10, 2021 under EO 13722, has been contracted by a foreign company to provide cheap labor and uses animators located in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. People’s Republic of China to execute the contract. Sanctions targeting the DPRK government using hedging companies.

“Corrupt actors and perpetrators of human rights abuses depend on the inadequacies of the international financial system to carry out their activities,” said Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.