A former North Korean official has been caught in the crosshairs of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., leading to his indictment on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering, and evasion of U.S. economic sanctions, according to a report from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Myong Ho Ri, who once served in Thailand, now faces a slew of charges after a meticulous HSI probe that uncovered his alleged involvement in orchestrating illegal financial transactions to ferry goods into North Korea.
The indictment, unsealed April 16, details how Ri abused his role as Third Economic and Commercial Secretary at the North Korean embassy in Thailand to negotiate under-the-table contracts, with the illegal operations running since at least February 2015 and relying on a network of front companies and associates stationed in Thailand and Malaysia, Ri used U.S. dollar wire transfers to move goods into North Korea without the necessary authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department—and banks stateside unsuspectingly processed these transactions that ultimately bolstered North Korea's coffers.
"This defendant allegedly skirted the sanctions put in place to protect our national security," U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves stated, emphasizing the importance of the sanctions as a safeguard against North Korea's illicit nuclear advancements. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division also echoed this concern, signaling a resolute stance to crack down on sanctions violations that aid the rogue state’s nefarious pursuits, he soundly accused Ri of a deliberate attempt to bypass crucial U.S. sanctions through the calculated deception of American financial institutions.
Ri's meticulous scheme not only attempted to evade the stringent sanctions laid out by Executive Order 13,722 issued on March 15, 2016, but also dragged unsuspecting U.S. banks into the fray, as they processed multiple U.S. dollar transactions that, unbeknownst to them, served the opaque interests of North Korea's regime; this calculated movement of finances unfolds against a backdrop of international unease, with North Korea's nuclear aspirations casting a long, ominous shadow over global stability.
Currently, Ri is a fugitive with the HSI actively seeking any lead regarding his whereabouts. The public is being urged to report any relevant information to the HSI Tip Line, which operates round the clock to ensure constant vigilance against such security threats. Homeland Security Investigations maintains a sizable presence both domestically and internationally, representing the expansive reach of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in combatting transnational crime.
Anyone with information about Myong Ho Ri or similar threats is encouraged to contact HSI directly by calling their Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP (877-447-4847). Further details about the case and the ongoing efforts to apprehend Ri can be found on the HSI website at ICE's official news release.
