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Singapore police charge 2 men and 3 firms who supplied luxury goods to N Korea

The 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel towers over Pyongyang, North Korea. (File photo: AP/Wong Maye-E)
The 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel towers over Pyongyang, North Korea. (File photo: AP/Wong Maye-E)

The Singapore police have charged two men – one Singaporean, one North Korean – for supplying prohibited luxury items to North Korea, in contravention of United Nations sanctions.

Additionally, three companies linked to the Singaporean man, who is 58 years old, were also charged in court on Thursday (18 October), for the same offence, the police said in a press release.

Investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force revealed that the Singaporean had abetted three companies – namely, SCN Singapore, Laurich International and Sindok Trading – in supplying jewellery and watches with precious metals to North Korea between 27 December 2010 and 18 November 2016.

The North Korean man, 30, is believed to have abetted two companies in illegally supplying luxury items to his country between 17 September 2014 and 5 January 2017.

According the police statement, Singapore takes its obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions seriously. The police say it will not hesitate to take action against any individual or entity that breaches Singapore laws and regulations.

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Man arrested in Singapore over counterfeit luxury watches: police