North Korean National Extradited to US for Money Laundering

A Groundbreaking Move in Combating Sanctions Evasion

SEOUL, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA - In a historic first, Mun Chol Myong, a 55-year-old national of North Korea, has been extradited to the United States and charged with laundering money through the US financial system as part of a scheme to provide luxury items to his home country.

The First-Ever Transfer of a North Korean National

This extradition marks a significant milestone in the fight against sanctions evasion and money laundering. Mun is accused of defrauding banks and laundering millions of dollars in an effort to evade counter-proliferation sanctions imposed on North Korea by the US and the United Nations.

“We will continue to use the long reach of our laws to protect the American people from sanctions evasion and other national security threats,” said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

The Indictment

The indictment alleges that Mun conspired with others to covertly access the US financial system between 2013 and 2018, defrauding banks and violating US and UN sanctions in transactions valued at over $1.5 million. The FBI’s Minneapolis field office worked closely with international partners to investigate the case, which highlights the agency’s persistence and global impact.

The Investigation

Mun has been detained since his arrest by local authorities in May 2019 and made his initial appearance in federal court in Washington, DC earlier today. He faces six counts of money laundering, including conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The investigation revealed that Mun and his co-conspirators went to great lengths to avoid detection, using a web of front companies and bank accounts registered under false names and concealing references to North Korea from international wire transfer documents.

A Commitment to Protecting the US Financial System

This case demonstrates the US government’s commitment to protecting its financial system and pursuing those who violate its laws, regardless of their location. The extradition of Mun Chol Myong serves as a warning to others who may be involved in similar schemes: the US will not hesitate to take action against those who seek to evade its laws and undermine national security.

Key Points

• Mun Chol Myong, a 55-year-old North Korean national, has been extradited to the United States for money laundering.
• The indictment alleges that Mun conspired with others to defraud banks and launder millions of dollars between 2013 and 2018.
• The FBI’s Minneapolis field office worked closely with international partners to investigate the case.
• Mun faces six counts of money laundering, including conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• This case demonstrates the US government’s commitment to protecting its financial system and pursuing those who violate its laws.