North Korea: Australian man charged with brokering missile deals for secretive communist state
'This man was a loyal agent of North Korea, who believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man accused of brokering missile deals with North Korea has been arrested by Australian police.
Chan Han Choi, 59, has been charged with brokering sales and discussing the supply of weapons of mass destruction.
The Australia Federal Police alleged Mr Choi was acting as an economic agent for the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea and was therefore in breach of United Nations and Australian sanctions.
“This man was a loyal agent of North Korea, who believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose," said assistant commissioner Neil Gaughan. ”This case is like nothing we have ever seen on Australian soil.”
He added that Mr Choi, a naturalised Australian citizen of Korean descent, had been in touch with high-ranking North Korean officials but no missile components had ever actually reached Australia.
He faces a total of six charges, two under an act preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, two for contravening a UN sanction law, and two for contravening Australia’s own sanctions laws.
Mr Choi, who has been living in Australia for more than 30 years, faces up to 18 years in jail if he is convicted.
Police said he had been identified as a person of interest earlier this year and the force launched Operation Byahaut in response.
“This is black market 101,” AC Gaughan said. “We are alleging that all the activity occurred offshore, and was purely another attempt for this man to trade goods and services as a way to raise revenue for the government of North Korea.”
North Korea has been subject to a new round of strict United Nations sanctions this year after defying international pressure and continuing with its missile and nuclear programmes.
In November Pyongyang said it had successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach any part of the US mainland.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments