US sanctions North Korean airline officials after record number of missile tests | NK News
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September 17, 2026Sep 17, 2026

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US sanctions North Korean airline officials after record number of missile tests

Treasury alleges men helped DPRK fund weapons programs, while doubling down on designation of Tornado Cash crypto mixer

The U.S. has blacklisted two representatives of North Korea’s flagship carrier Air Koryo for their alleged involvement in “transportation and procurement activities,” the Treasury Department said Tuesday, as it also moved to strengthen its case against cryptocurrency mixing service Tornado Cash.

The moves follow the DPRK’s “numerous ballistic missile launches”  and are designed to limit the country’s ability to fund its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, the department stated in a press release.

The Treasury’s announcementsays Ri Sok and Yan Zhiyong helped shuttle goods from China into North Korea. Ri helped move “electronic parts” into the DPRK on