US sanctions 3 North Korean officials
NKorea's minister of state security, high-ranking official from ruling party among those blacklisted
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The U.S. sanctioned three North Korean officials Monday, including Pyongyang's minister of state security, for alleged human rights abuses and censorship.
Jong Kyong Thaek was blacklisted alongside Choe Ryong Hae, whom the Treasury Department said is the director of North Korea's Organization and Guidance Department.
The Treasury Department said the Korean agency is "instrumental" in Pyongyang's censorship
Washington also designated Pak Kwang Ho, whom the U.S. said is the director of North Korea's Propaganda and Agitation Department.
It described Pak's primary responsibility as "maintaining ideological purity and managing the general censorship functions" of his department, which allegedly includes restricting freedom of speech.
“Treasury is sanctioning senior North Korean officials who direct departments that
"These sanctions demonstrate the United States’ ongoing support for freedom of expression, and opposition to endemic censorship and human rights abuses," he added.
The economic penalties come in conjunction with a State Department report detailing North Korea’s alleged human rights abuses and censorship efforts.
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