Export of certain items useful for satellite making prohibited

The South Korean government added materials essential to the making of satellites to the list of items that cannot be sold to North Korea.

A screen shows North Korea's military reconnaissance satellite [YONHAP]

The South Korean government added materials essential to the making of satellites to the list of items that cannot be sold to North Korea.

The Industry Ministry released an administrative notice about the prohibition of the export via third countries of dozens of materials that can be used for North Korea's satellite development.

The move is aimed at prohibiting the secretive nuclear-armed nation from circumventing UN Security Council sanctions, as Pyongyang said it plans to put what it claims to be a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit this spring.

A total of 77 items used for the satellite system have been placed on a "watch list," including solar cell laydowns, coarse sun sensor assemblies, star trackers, image data handling units, X-band transmitters and control moment gyroscope actuation units.

The measure is meant to draw renewed global attention to the urgency of blocking the North from acquiring such strategic materials.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it has already shared the list with other nations so that they can use it for their export controls on the North.

In December last year, Pyongyang said it conducted a "final-stage" test to develop a "military reconnaissance satellite" that will be put into orbit by April.

South Korea has also decided to impose additional independent sanctions on four individuals and six institutions involved in the North's missile and nuclear weapons programs, and the country's evasions of international sanctions.

Those blacklisted include Ri Yong-gil, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, and Tan Wee Beng, a Singaporean national accused of having laundered money through the U.S. financial system on behalf of North Korea.

BY PARK EUN-JEE, YONHAP [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]