The U.S. Treasury Department has removed two Chinese animation businesses and a Chinese national from its North Korean sanctions list, without publicly explaining the decision.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) deleted Moxing Cartoon, Shanghai Hongman Cartoon and Animation Design Studio, and Lu Hezheng from its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, according to a notice posted by the Treasury on Oct. 21.

The removals covered five list entries because the two companies were also added to the SDN database under alternative names, Shanghai Moxing Cultural Media Co. Ltd and Shanghai Hongman Animation Design Studio. 

All three