Yesterday, OFAC designated the following persons:
KHALIL, Hassan (a.k.a. EL KHALIL, Hassan Kazem), Lebanon; DOB 09 May 1979; nationality Lebanon; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; Passport 3030829 (Lebanon) expires 20 Jan 2020 (individual) [SDGT] (Linked To: HIZBALLAH).
MANSOUR, Adel Mohamad (Arabic: عادل محمد منصور) (a.k.a. MANSUR, Adil), Hadatha, Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, Lebanon; DOB 18 May 1966; POB Hadatha, Lebanon; nationality Lebanon; Additional Sanctions Information - Subject to Secondary Sanctions Pursuant to the Hizballah Financial Sanctions Regulations; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886 (individual) [SDGT] (Linked To: AL-QARD AL-HASSAN ASSOCIATION).
NESER, Naser Hassan (Arabic: ناصر حسن نسر) (a.k.a. NESR, Nasser Hassan; a.k.a. NISR, Nasir), Mahfouz, Al Ahlam 6, Haret Hreik, Roueiss, Beirut, Lebanon; DOB 20 Apr 1963; POB Kafarser, Lebanon; nationality Lebanon; Additional Sanctions Information - Subject to Secondary Sanctions Pursuant to the Hizballah Financial Sanctions Regulations; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; National ID No. 288030510000000 (Lebanon) (individual) [SDGT] (Linked To: THE AUDITORS FOR ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING).
and entities:
AL-KHOBARA FOR ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND STUDIES (Arabic: الخبراء المحاسبة والتدقيق والدراسات) (a.k.a. AL KHOBARA CO. ACCOUNTING-AUDITING STUDIES), Hadi Nasrallah Highway, Al-Qard Al-Hasan Building, First Floor, Baabda, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon; Additional Sanctions Information - Subject to Secondary Sanctions Pursuant to the Hizballah Financial Sanctions Regulations; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; Registration Number 81396 (Lebanon) [SDGT] (Linked To: MANSOUR, Adel Mohamad).
THE AUDITORS FOR ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING (Arabic: المدققون المحاسبة والتدقيق), Sayed Hadi Nasrallah Street, Al Nakhel Building, 5th floor, Burj Barajne, Beirut, Lebanon; Additional Sanctions Information - Subject to Secondary Sanctions Pursuant to the Hizballah Financial Sanctions Regulations; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; Registration Number 278 (Lebanon) issued 22 Feb 2006 [SDGT] (Linked To: DAHER, Ibrahim Ali).
under its counter terrorism sanctions program, and the following persons:
JON, Il Ho (Korean: 전일호) (a.k.a. CHON, Il Ho), Korea, North; DOB 20 Feb 1956; nationality Korea, North; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Transactions Prohibited For Persons Owned or Controlled By U.S. Financial Institutions: North Korea Sanctions Regulations section 510.214; Passport PS463120423 (Korea, North) (individual) [DPRK2].
KIM, Su Gil (Korean: 김수길) (a.k.a. KIM, Su-kil), Korea, North; DOB 1950; nationality Korea, North; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Transactions Prohibited For Persons Owned or Controlled By U.S. Financial Institutions: North Korea Sanctions Regulations section 510.214 (individual) [DPRK2].
YU, Jin (Korean: 유진) (a.k.a. YOO, Jin; a.k.a. YU, Chin), Korea, North; DOB 1960; nationality Korea, North; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210; Transactions Prohibited For Persons Owned or Controlled By U.S. Financial Institutions: North Korea Sanctions Regulations section 510.214 (individual) [DPRK2].
under its North Korean program.
And then there are the press releases…
For the North Korean changes, there was one from Treasury:
PRESS RELEASES
Treasury Targets Workers’ Party of Korea Officials Supporting DPRK Weapons Programs
December 1, 2022
Action Taken in Close Coordination with the Republic of Korea and Japan
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today sanctioned three individuals for being officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). These individuals have provided support to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles.
On November 18, 2022, the DPRK launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), marking the eighth ICBM launch this year. This ICBM launch, along with the over 60 additional ballistic missile launches conducted by the DPRK in 2022, clearly violate multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and demonstrate a continued threat to international peace and security. Today’s action targets three individuals who have directly led DPRK organizations that are linked to the development of WMDs.
“Treasury is taking action in close trilateral coordination with the Republic of Korea and Japan against officials who have had leading roles in the DPRK’s unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “Recent launches demonstrate the need for all countries to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions, which are intended to prevent the DPRK from acquiring the technologies, materials, and revenue Pyongyang needs to develop its prohibited WMD and ballistic missile capabilities.”
This action is in line with wider multilateral efforts to impede the DPRK’s ability to advance its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs that threaten regional stability.
WPK OFFICIALS
OFAC is designating Jon Il Ho, Yu Jin, and Kim Su Gil for being officials of the WPK. OFAC’s action follows the European Union’s designation of Jon Il Ho, Yu Jin, and Kim Su Gil on April 21, 2022, as persons responsible for the DPRK’s WMD or ballistic missile programs.
While serving as the Vice Director and the Director, respectively, of the U.S.- and UN-designated Munitions Industry Department, Jon Il Ho and Yu Jin played major roles in the DPRK’s development of WMD in violation of multiple UNSCRs, and they have personally attended numerous ballistic missile launches since at least 2017.
Kim Su Gil served as Director of the U.S.-designated Korean People’s Army General Political Bureau from 2018 to 2021 and oversaw the implementation of WPK decisions related to the DPRK’s WMD program.
Jon Il Ho, Yu Jin, and Kim Su Gil are designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being officials of the WPK.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, pursuant to E.O. 13687, all property and interests in property of the persons named above that are in the United States, or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.
In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals or entities designated today may themselves be exposed to designation. Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the individuals or entities designated today could be subject to U.S. correspondent or payable-through account sanctions.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC’s Frequently Asked Question 897.
U.S. State Department Press Release
and one from State:
Designating Three Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Officials in Response to Pyongyang’s November ICBM Launches
PRESS STATEMENT
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
DECEMBER 1, 2022
The United States is taking additional actions today as part of our ongoing effort to impede the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) ability to advance its unlawful ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs. These actions follow the DPRK’s unprecedented launch of over 60 ballistic missiles this year, including the test of several intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). These destabilizing actions pose grave security risks to the region and entire world.
Today, the Department of the Treasury is designating Jon Il Ho, the chair of the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK) Committee of the Academy for Defense Research and a member of the WPK Central Committee. The WPK was blocked in 2016 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13722. Treasury is also designating Yu Jin, a member of the WPK Central Committee; and Kim Su Gil, the Chief Secretary of the Kangwo’n WPK Provincial Committee and a member of the WPK Central Committee. These actions are pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being officials of the WPK.
All three targets have direct connections to the DPRK’s unlawful ballistic missile program. The European Union (EU) designated all three earlier this year, noting that Jon and Yu both have played a role in the DPRK’s WMD programs and have participated in multiple ballistic missile launches, while Kim has been responsible for the implementation of WPK decisions related to the development of the DPRK’s unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Today’s actions have been taken in close coordination with the Republic of Korea and Japan and further align our policies with our EU partners on the global DPRK threat. These steps also underscore our sustained resolve to promote accountability in response to Pyongyang’s pace, scale, and scope of ballistic missile launches.
U.S. State Department Press Release
And Treasury:
PRESS RELEASES
Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Accountants and Weapons Facilitator
December 1, 2022
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against two individuals and two companies based in Lebanon for providing financial services to Hizballah, along with an additional individual involved in facilitating weapons procurement for Hizballah. These designations target individuals and companies that manage and enable Hizballah’s overarching financial apparatus operating throughout Lebanon, including Al-Qard Al-Hassan (AQAH) and Hizballah’s Central Finance Unit. U.S.-designated AQAH is Hizballah’s quasi-financial institution, and Hizballah’s Central Finance Unit oversees the terrorist group’s budget within Hizballah’s Executive Council at the direction of Hizballah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
“The individuals and companies being designated today have enabled Hizballah’s financial apparatus operating throughout Lebanon,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “Their public personae as financial professionals and institutions is just another way Hizballah hides its abuse of the financial system to support its destabilizing agenda.”
Today’s action also underscores how Hizballah remains, at its core, a terrorist organization determined to procure weapons that undermine Lebanon’s security and stability even as the country suffers a dire financial crisis. OFAC is designating these targets pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists, terrorist organizations, leaders and officials of terrorist groups, and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.
Adel Mohamad Mansour (Mansour)
Mansour is being designated for his position as the leader of AQAH, a U.S.-designated Hizballah-run quasi-financial institution. Mansour has served as the Executive Director of AQAH for years. In addition to his role within AQAH, Mansour has used his personal bank accounts to conduct transactions with various Hizballah institutions.
Al-Khobara for Accounting, Auditing, and Studies (Al-Khobara)
Al-Khobara is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by Mansour, who serves as the company’s CEO. Al-Khobara is located in the AQAH building, has provided accounting services to AQAH, and was managed by senior AQAH officials, including Mansour. Other senior officials at Al-Khobara include U.S.-designated senior Hizballah official Hussein al-Shami, who previously headed AQAH and another U.S.-designated Hizballah financial institution, Bayt al-Mal, as well as Ahmad Yazbeck, who was designated in May 2021 for acting for or on behalf of AQAH. For years, Hizballah financial elements have assisted Al-Khobara employees in dealing with Lebanon’s Ministry of Finance regarding tax payments.
Auditors for Accounting and Auditing (Auditors)
Auditors is being designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by Ibrahim Daher (Daher). Daher, who was designated in May 2021 for acting on behalf of Hizballah in his capacity as the chief of Hizballah’s Central Finance Unit, is a majority owner and managing partner of this company and has held a senior managerial function within the company for years. Additionally, Auditors provides financial services to Hizballah’s Central Finance Unit.
Naser Hasan Neser (Neser)
Neser is being designated for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of Auditors. Neser managed Auditors along with Daher. Neser was a managing partner at Auditors, held minority ownership in the company, and was listed as an authorized signatory, manager, and legal representative of the company. In addition, Neser reports to senior Hizballah Executive Council and Central Finance Unit officials, including Daher, about the activities of Auditors.
Hassan Khalil (Khalil)
Khalil is being designated for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hizballah. Khalil, a Lebanese national, has been actively working to procure weapons on behalf of Hizballah.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of these persons, which are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. OFAC regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.
In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the persons designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action. Furthermore, unless an exception applies, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the targets designated today could be subject to U.S. sanctions.
Additionally, Adel Mohamad Mansour, Al-Khobara for Accounting, Auditing, and Studies, Auditors for Accounting and Auditing, and Naser Hasan Neser, are subject to the Hizballah Financial Sanctions Regulations, which implement the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015, as amended by the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018. Pursuant to these authorities, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that, among other things, knowingly facilitates a significant transaction for Hizballah or certain persons designated for their connection to Hizballah.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but rather to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC’s Frequently Asked Question 897. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please refer to OFAC’s website.
U.S. Treasury Department Press Release
issued a press release about the counter terrorism designations, as did State:
Targeting Hizballah Financial and Weapon Facilitators
PRESS STATEMENT
NED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON
DECEMBER 1, 2022
The United States is designating two individuals and two companies based in Lebanon for providing financial services to Hizballah, along with an individual facilitating weapons procurement for Hizballah. The financial facilitators and related companies manage and enable Hizballah’s overarching financial apparatus operating throughout Lebanon, including Al-Qard Al-Hassan (AQAH) and Hizballah’s Central Finance Unit. U.S.-designated AQAH is Hizballah’s quasi-financial institution that oversees the terrorist group’s budget within Hizballah’s Executive Council at the direction of Hizballah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Today’s actions are pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists, terrorist organizations, leaders and officials of terrorist groups, and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.
Hizballah remains a terrorist organization that undermines Lebanon’s stability and security, as well as regional stability, even as the Lebanese people suffer through a dire financial crisis.
U.S. State Department Press Release
Links:
Press Releases – State: North Korea, Counter Terrorism
Press Releases – Treasury: Counter Terrorism, North Korea