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Department 53 of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces

Sanctioned entity
TypeOrganization[sources]
NameDEPARTMENT 53 OF THE MINISTRY OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMED FORCES · Department 53 of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces[sources]
Other name53 Bureau · 53 Department · Bureau 53 · Department 53 · Korea Pongnaesan Trading Corporation · 1 more...[sources]
Weak aliasBureau 53 · Department 53[sources]
Legal formGovernment Entity[sources]
CountryNorth Korea · Russia[sources]
DescriptionA UN Member State reported that Department 53 (also known as Bureau 53), a UN-designated entity of the People’s Armed Forces of the DPRK based in Pyongyang, is involved in weapons trading. During 2019-2021, the department's Russian office has purportedly sourced bearings, communications, and electronics components for the DPRK from Russia. From late 2021, it has also participated in several construction projects in Congo, likely employing DPRK laborers. These projects include multiple hospitals and housing complexes. The reporting member state indicates that Department 53 operates through subsidiary and front companies, with representatives in several countries.[sources]
Statusnot available[sources]
AddressPyongyang · Pyongyang, North Korea[sources]
Source linksanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov[sources]
Last changeLast processedFirst seen

Relationships

Data sources

US Trade Consolidated Screening List (CSL)21,868

The Consolidated Screening List (CSL) is a list of parties for which the United States Government maintains restrictions on certain exports, reexports, or transfers of items.

United States · ITA

DPRK Reports5,518

A database of entities and events related to North Korea's sanctions evasion efforts.

United Kingdom · RUSI · non-official source

US OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List34,364

The primary United States' sanctions list, specially designated nationals (SDN) part.

United States · OFAC


Source data IDs: ofac-52262 · kprusi-ddb264299e6546b1dcc758d458f2a6c8ff3f3fd7

For experts: raw data explorer