Seoul announced new unilateral sanctions against a Russian national of South Korean descent on Wednesday, accusing him of helping finance North Korea’s weapons programs.

South Korea’s foreign ministry said the sanctions target ROK-born Choi Chon Gon and two of his companies, along with a North Korean national who worked with him.

“Upon acquiring Russian citizenship, Choi has been engaging in illegal financial activities and joint ventures with North Korea in violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions against the DPRK,” the ministry stated in a press release.

The ministry emphasized that it is the first time Seoul has imposed sanctions