Council adopts new sanctions targeting Russia–North Korea trade links involving workers, industrial investment and oil shipments

Council of the European Union

Oct 13

1 min read

[Based on the press release by the Council of the European Union "DPRK: Council adds three individuals and four entities to sanctions lists over nuclear, missile programmes and Russia ties" - 2026.10.12]

🔗 Read the Original Press Release: [Click Here]

The Council of the European Union announced sanctions against three individuals and four entities for activities supporting North Korea’s weapons programmes as well as violating and evading UN sanctions, with a particular focus on growing economic and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Added under this sanctions regime is Paekyangsan Shipping Co Ltd, which operates the DPRK-flagged vessel Paek Yang San 1 involved in shipments of refined petroleum products from Russia to the DPRK in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2397.

The Council has also listed:

Russian real estate developer Samolet Group and its CEO, Anna Akinshina, were listed over the employment of North Korean workers on construction projects in Vladivostok, violating UN sanctions.
Vladimir Sokolov, founder of Russian holding company Black Horse, and its subsidiary Golden Autumn Agroholding were sanctioned over commercial and industrial cooperation projects involving North Korea, including an industrial investment project in Russia’s Primorsky Krai.
North Korean official Ri Song Jin was sanctioned for his role in supporting Russia’s use of North Korean missiles.

Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of those listed is prohibited. Following the decision, the EU’s autonomous sanctions list covers 80 individuals and 25 entities.

📖 Source: Council of the European Union

🔗 Read the full press release: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/10/12/dprk-council-adds-three-individuals-and-four-entities-to-sanctions-lists-over-nuclear-missile-programmes-and-russia-ties/