The U.S. government said Friday it has imposed sanctions on a Taiwanese firm and its CEO for their connection with North Korea's weapons proliferation activity.
The Treasury Department designated Trans Multi Mechanics Co. Ltd. and Chang Wen-Fu "for their links to a North Korean procurement agent, Alex H.T. Tsai," according to the department's press release.
Alex Tsai was designated by the Treasury Department in 2009 for providing support to North Korea's premier arms dealer, Korea Mining Development Trading Corp.
"It is essential that we continue to make it as difficult as possible for North Korea to facilitate its nuclear and ballistic missile programs by exposing key cogs in North Korea’s procurement network,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. "We will continue to work with our partners in Federal law enforcement and our friends around the world to expose anyone assisting the North Korean government’s illicit procurement activities."
The Treasury said Chang Wen-Fu, CEO and general manager of Trans Multi Mechanics Co. Ltd., has been actively involved in the procurement of dual-use machinery for North Korea.
Alex Tsai has used the Taiwanese company to procure and ship hundreds of thousands of dollars’worth of equipment to North Korea and to negotiate contracts on behalf of North Korean parties, it added.