South Korea adds 243 items to exports control list to Russia, Belarus

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Sep 2024 16:39

The South Korean government has reportedly amended the decree that penalizes export regulation violations to strengthen administrative actions against those who breach re-export provisions.

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South Korea's olympic team waves from a boat, in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, Pool)

The South Korean Ministry of Trade and Industry announced on Thursday that the country will strengthen export controls against Russia and Belarus by adding 243 items to the list of restricted exports.

"This revision will raise the total number of items on the list to 1,402," the ministry said.

The new export regulations will take effect on Monday and include metal cutting machines, machine tool parts, aviation equipment parts, sensors, semiconductor equipment, optical devices, and other items. Decisions on exporting these items will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The South Korean government has reportedly amended the decree that penalizes export regulation violations to strengthen administrative actions against those who breach re-export provisions. The specific details of these changes have not been disclosed.

The previous export regulations were implemented on April 28, 2022, and targeted a range of items that could be used for military purposes.

These included materials and technologies with potential applications in the development of weapons, such as electronics, computers, sensors and lasers, items used in navigation and avionics, as well as items related to aerospace technology, and tools used for materials processing.

In January 2024, the DPRK and Russia signed a new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement which included a mutual defense clause, committing both countries to provide military assistance if either is attacked.

South Korea reacted to the defense agreement with concern, alleging that the pact poses a strategic threat to regional stability and that the treaty might embolden the DPRK's actions and strengthen its strategic position in the region.

Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence, Cho Koo-rae, along with counterparts from the US and Japan, issued a joint statement in June criticizing the military cooperation between DPRK and Russia.

South Korea also announced plans to reinfore its cybersecurity in collaboration with allies like the US and the UK, due to fears of potential cyberattacks coordinated by DPRK and Russia, according to The Diplomat.