North Korea Sanctions
KPFATF Black ListNorth Korea is currently subject to 17 active sanctions programs imposed by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, European Union Council, European Commission (AML High-Risk Third Countries), Financial Action Task Force, Ministry of Finance Japan and Office of Foreign Assets Control. These measures include asset freeze, travel ban, arms embargo, trade restrictions, financial restrictions and investment ban. North Korea is also on the FATF black list. This page lists every program targeting North Korea, the legal bases behind them, and the most recent changes.
Last updated 3 Aug 2026
Programs
17
Authorities
12
Restriction Types
10
Restrictions
Sanctioning Authorities
DFATDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade — 3 programs
EUEuropean Union Council — 1 programEU-AMLEuropean Commission (AML High-Risk Third Countries) — 1 program
FATFFinancial Action Task Force — 1 program
JAPANMinistry of Finance Japan — 1 program
OFACOffice of Foreign Assets Control — 2 programs
OFSIOffice of Financial Sanctions Implementation — 2 programs
SECOState Secretariat for Economic Affairs — 1 program
SINGAPOREMonetary Authority of Singapore — 1 programUKForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office — 2 programsUK-AMLUK High-Risk Third Countries (AML/CFT) — 1 program
UNUnited Nations Security Council — 1 programSanctions Programs
UN sanctions regime targeting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Total designated: 155 (80 individuals, 75 entities).
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+27 more
Australia's autonomous sanctions targeting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Total designated: 61 (28 individuals, 33 entities).
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+12 more
Australia's autonomous sanctions targeting designated vessels linked to Russia and DPRK. Total designated: 262 vessels.
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The ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities of the DPRK represent a serious threat to international peace and security. These activities undermine the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime of which the EU has been a steadfast supporter for decades. In this context, the EU has implemented the restrictive measures imposed by Resolutions of the UN Security Council and has complemented them through its own autonomous measures. These measures target the DPRK's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile-related programmes. The first set of restrictive measures were introduced with the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 (2006), adopted shortly after DPRK´s first nuclear test on 9 October 2006. The UN Security Council has repeatedly adopted new measures and expanded existing ones, most recently on 3 September 2017. On 27 May 2016, for the first time, the Council of the EU adopted additional autonomous restrictive measures in relation to the DPRK on the grounds that its actions constitute a grave threat to international peace and security in the region and beyond. On 6 April and most recently on 16 October, the Council again introduced additional restrictive measures to further increase pressure on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations. The EU is determined to combat proliferation and committed to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, including through the consideration of new restrictive measures. Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid. Adopted by: UN and EU.
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The European Commission identifies high-risk third countries having strategic deficiencies in their regime on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. In line with EU AML directives, gatekeepers such as banks are obliged to apply increased checks and control measures on business relationships and transactions involving these countries.
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+21 more
Jurisdictions subject to a FATF call for action due to strategic deficiencies in AML/CFT. The FATF calls on all members and urges all jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence, and in the most serious cases, counter-measures to protect the international financial system from ongoing money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risks.
Sanctions targeting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Total designated: 81 individuals, 96 entities.
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The North Korea sanctions program imposes comprehensive sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), including blocking of all property and interests of the Government of North Korea and the Workers' Party of Korea, prohibitions on trade, new investment, financial transactions, and various sectoral measures. The program implements multiple executive orders, statutes, and UN Security Council Resolutions in response to North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
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+29 more
CAATSA (Public Law 115-44), signed into law on August 2, 2017, imposes sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea through three titles: Title I – Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017; Title II – Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017; and Title III – Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act.
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+15 more
261 designated (138 individuals, 86 entities, 37 ships). Sources: UK, UN.
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Comprehensive sanctions regime targeting North Korea. 261 designated entities (138 individuals, 86 entities, 37 ships). Designations sourced from UK and UN. Earliest designation: 2016-03-02, latest update: 2023-08-21.
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Swiss sanctions targeting North Korea (DPRK). Total designated: 197 (80 individuals, 117 entities).
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Singapore's targeted financial sanctions regime against designated individuals and entities associated with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), implemented under multiple regulations.
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Broad sanctions regime targeting DPRK's nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, and human rights abuses. Includes asset freeze, trade restrictions, financial sanctions, transport sanctions, and arms embargo.
Under The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
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HM Treasury advisory notice identifying High Risk Third Countries (HRTCs) as defined in the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Countries are those listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under two categories: (1) High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action (3 jurisdictions - FATF black list), and (2) Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring (22 jurisdictions - FATF grey list). UK regulated firms must apply enhanced customer due diligence and enhanced ongoing monitoring on business relationships and transactions involving persons established in these jurisdictions. The notice was last updated on 22 June 2026 reflecting FATF's June 2026 plenary outcomes.
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Comprehensive sanctions regime targeting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Designated: 155 (80 individuals, 75 entities).
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+1 more
Recent Changes
Legal basis updated for OFAC North Korea Sanctions
Added: Proclamation 8271 - Termination of the Exercise of Authorities Under the Trading With the Enemy Act With Respect to North Korea (June 27, 2008), UNSCR 2375 (September 11, 2017), UNSCR 2371 (August 5, 2017), UNSCR 2356 (June 2, 2017), UNSCR 2321 (November 30, 2016), UNSCR 2270 (March 2, 2016), UNSCR 2094 (March 7, 2013), UNSCR 2087 (January 22, 2013), UNSCR 1874 (June 12, 2009), UNSCR 1718 (October 14, 2006)
Resources added
Added: 1 faq(s), 11 federal_register_notice(s), 6 executive_order(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 executive_order(s), 1 statute(s), 1 regulation(s), 2 delegation(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: arms_embargo
Restrictions added
Added: sectoral
Legal basis updated for UK High-Risk Third Countries (AML/CFT)
Added: Regulation 33(1)(b) of the MLRs, Regulation 33(3) of the MLRs
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Singapore Targeted Financial Sanctions — Democratic People's Republic of Korea renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" to "Singapore Targeted Financial Sanctions — Democratic People's Republic of Korea"
Legal basis updated for Singapore Targeted Financial Sanctions — Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Added: Financial Services and Markets Act 2022, Variable Capital Companies Act 2018, United Nations Act 2001, UN Security Council Resolution 1718
Legal basis updated for Autonomous Sanctioned Vessels
Added: Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011
Legal basis updated for Autonomous DPRK Sanctions
Added: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons – Democratic People's Republic of Korea) List 2012, Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons – Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Amendment List 2015, Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2020, Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2022, Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Amendment (No. 2) Instrument 2023, Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons – Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2025
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions
UN DPRK Sanctions (Committee 1718) renamed
Program renamed from "UN DPRK Sanctions (1718)" to "UN DPRK Sanctions (Committee 1718)"
Legal basis updated for UN DPRK Sanctions (Committee 1718)
Added: UNSC Resolution 2087 (2013)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions regime" to "Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions"
UN DPRK (North Korea) Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1718) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Democratic People's Republic of Korea Sanctions Committee" to "UN DPRK (North Korea) Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1718)"
Resources added
Added: 1 legal_instrument(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: transport
Restrictions added
Added: sectoral, comprehensive
Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions" to "Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions regime
Added: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Removed: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
UN Democratic People's Republic of Korea Sanctions Committee renamed
Program renamed from "UN DPRK (North Korea) Sanctions Committee" to "UN Democratic People's Republic of Korea Sanctions Committee"
UN DPRK (North Korea) Sanctions Committee renamed
Program renamed from "UN DPRK (North Korea) Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1718)" to "UN DPRK (North Korea) Sanctions Committee"
Resources added
Added: 1 executive_order(s), 1 statute(s), 1 other(s), 2 delegation(s), 1 guidance(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: sectoral
Restrictions removed
Removed: sectoral
Restrictions added
Added: transport
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: comprehensive
Restrictions added
Added: sectoral
Restrictions added
Added: investment_ban
Legal basis updated for OFAC North Korea Sanctions
Added: Sanctions With Respect to North Korea (Otto Warmbier Act). Removed: Otto Warmbier Act - Sanctions With Respect to North Korea, UNSCR 2375, UNSCR 2371, UNSCR 2356, UNSCR 2321, UNSCR 2270, UNSCR 2094, UNSCR 2087, UNSCR 1874, UNSCR 1718, Proclamation 8271 - Termination of the Exercise of Authorities Under the Trading With the Enemy Act With Respect to North Korea (June 27, 2008)
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s), 11 federal_register_notice(s), 1 un_security_council_resolution(s), 2 guidance(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act-Related Sanctions
Added: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Public Law 115-44. Removed: Public Law 115-44 (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, CAATSA)
Resources added
Added: 7 faq(s), 4 guidance(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC North Korea Sanctions
Added: Otto Warmbier Act - Sanctions With Respect to North Korea. Removed: Sanctions With Respect to North Korea (Otto Warmbier Act)
Resources added
Added: 6 executive_order(s), 1 proclamation(s), 11 federal_register_notice(s), 10 un_resolution(s), 1 advisory(s), 1 faq(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act-Related Sanctions
Removed: International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
Resources added
Added: 8 faq(s), 3 guidance(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
Restrictions added
Added: comprehensive
Legal basis updated for Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions
Added: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Removed: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Restrictions removed
Removed: investment_ban
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s), 6 executive_order(s), 1 proclamation(s), 4 un_resolution(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act-Related Sanctions
Added: International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
Resources added
Added: 1 executive_order(s), 2 delegation(s), 1 other(s)
Target countries updated
Added: IR, RU
Restrictions added
Added: arms_embargo
Legal basis updated for Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions
Added: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Removed: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019