US-sanctioned Korean national under probe by Korean authorities: Seoul official

The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is shown in this Oct. 4 file photo. Korea Times file

Korea launched an investigation into its national who has been added to the latest U.S. sanctions list for suspected involvement in Russia's arms procurements, an official said Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury said Tuesday (local time) it imposed sanctions on more than 250 individuals and entities, including a Korean national, surnamed Lee, for helping to supply Russia with military equipment and technologies.

"We understand that the relevant authorities are already aware of the (national's) alleged illegal indirect exports to Russia and are conducting an investigation related to them," the foreign ministry official said.

"The government will continue close coordination with the United States as we bolster efforts for the effective implementation of existing sanctions against Russia."

Washington is said to have communicated closely with Seoul to exchange information until the designation of the sanctions.

The U.S. described Lee as a key procurement agent for AK Microtech, a Russia-based firm specializing in transferring foreign semiconductor technology to Russian microelectronics production companies.

The 61-year-old is the first Korean to be designated in the U.S. sanctions against Russia's war efforts. (Yonhap)