A Sydney Man Has Been Charged With Helping North Korea Sell Missiles

Very normal, very 2017 news: the Australian Federal Police have arrested a Sydney man under the infrequently-used Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act for acting as a North Korean economic agent. More specifically, the 59-year-old was facilitating the sale of high grade weapons from North Korea to other countries…from his backyard in the outer northern suburb of Eastwood, New South Wales.

According to the AFP, the man—a naturalised Australian citizen of Korean descent—was allegedly generating income for the North Korean Government by brokering “the sale of missiles and missile componentry” from North Korea to other international entities, as well as attempting to transfer coal from North Korea to entities in Indonesia and Vietnam. Right.

Just FYI, this kind of activity is illegal under Australian law—it’s the first time Australia has ever charged anyone under the Act. It’s also in breach of United Nations sanctions against North Korea.

Following a months-long investigation, AFP officers raided the man’s house on Saturday and have subsequently arrested him. He will appear in court today, with prosecutors alleging that he attempted to generate income for the North Korean regime in Pyongyang, and discussed plans to train ballistic missile specialists outside of North Korea. He faces a maximum of ten years of imprisonment.

“The Australian public should be assured that police have acted to ensure no direct risk to our community. The AFP endeavours to support international efforts to maintain peace and security,” said AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan. “Any individual who attempts to fly in the face of sanctions cannot and will not go unnoticed in Australia.”

Noted.