The U.S. Department of the Treasury has leveled new penalties against individuals and companies linked to North Korea’s cyber activities, while also imposing a $1.45 million fine on a Samsung subsidiary for selling products to Iran.
In a move aimed at disrupting Pyongyang’s revenue streams, the Treasury designated Russian citizen Gayk Asatryan and his two firms, Asatryan LLC and Fortuna LLC, for their role in placing North Korean IT professionals overseas. These workers, often operating under false identities, generate funds for the regime in violation of international restrictions. Additional sanctions targeted North Korean and Chinese entities involved in cyber operations and technology employment abroad.
Separately, the Treasury reached a $1.45 million settlement with Harman International Industries, a Samsung-owned company, after an investigation revealed that staff at a distributor in the United Arab Emirates deliberately rerouted Harman’s products to Iran over two years. Officials labeled the violations as serious, though the company voluntarily reported them.
These actions form part of broader efforts to choke off financial networks that help sanctioned nations bypass restrictions using shell companies and foreign intermediaries. The Treasury stated it remains focused on cutting off money flows that fund North Korea’s weapons programs and support banned activities in Iran.