TITLE: United States Office of Foreign Assets Control Updates Sanctions Designations Targeting North Korea, Hamas, and Counter-Narcotics Networks
BODY:
On March 12, 2026, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, adding individuals and entities linked to North Korean sanctions evasion schemes, Hamas-affiliated charitable organisations, and counter-narcotics operations.
OFAC designated six individuals and two entities under North Korea Sanctions Regulations. The individuals include Celestino Herrera (Dominican Republic/Spain national), Do Phi Khanh (Vietnam), Hoang Minh Quang (Vietnam), Hoang Van Nguyen (Vietnam), Nguyen Quang Viet (Vietnam), and Yun Song Guk (North Korean national based in Laos). These designations target facilitators of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) information technology worker fraud schemes targeting U.S. businesses. Designated entities include Amnokgang Technology Development Company (North Korea) and Quangvietdnbg International Services Company Limited (Vietnam). Several designated individuals hold cryptocurrency wallet addresses, including Ethereum and Tron addresses, indicating involvement in digital asset transactions.
OFAC also designated four organisations as Hamas-affiliated entities under Executive Order 13224: Ghazi Destek Dernegi (Turkey), Hayat Yolu (Turkey), Komite Nasional Untuk Rakyat Palestina (Indonesia), and Palestinian White Hands Assistance and Solidarity Association (Turkey). These organisations operate as charities or non-profit entities.
OFAC removed Carlos Arnoldo Lobo from the SDN List as part of counter-narcotics designation removal. The agency also updated existing designations, including adding multiple cryptocurrency addresses to Sim Hyon Sop's entry, reflecting ongoing North Korean sanctions evasion activities.
All designated individuals and entities face transaction prohibitions and secondary sanctions risks under applicable North Korea Sanctions Regulations.