U.S. sanctions on North Korea target individuals and firms in Russia, China and the UAE.

Mar 27, 2024 3:52 PM EST (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions against six people and two entities from Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of transferring funds to North Korea's nuclear programs.A U.S. Treasury Department statement said the action was taken in cooperation with South Korea.The six individuals were named as Yoo Poo Woong, Ri Dong Hyuk, Han Chol Man, Oh In Chung, Jung Sung Ho and Jeong Young Gun.Alis LLC of Vladivostok, Russia, and Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate of the United Arab Emirates are subject to sanctions.The statement said both companies are under the control of Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Co, an organization linked to North Korea's military.The Treasury Department said Chinyong, which was sanctioned by the U.S.

in May 2023, uses a network of companies and representatives to manage delegations of North Korean IT workers working in Russia and Laos.The announcement follows the launch by the United States and South Korea this week of a new task force aimed at preventing North Korea from buying illegal petroleum products, as a stalemate in the U.N. Security Council raises doubts about the future of international sanctions against Pyongyang.Years of U.S.-led international sanctions have failed to halt North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and many observers have