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Department 53 of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces

Sanction-linked entity

Department 53 of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces is an entity of interest. It has not been found on international sanctions lists.

Type	Organization				[sources]
Name	Department 53 of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces				[sources]
Other name	53 Bureau · 53 Department · Bureau 53 · Department 53				[sources]
Legal form	not available				[sources]
Country	North Korea				[sources]
Description	A UN Member State reported that Department 53 (also known as Bureau 53), a UN-designated entity of the People’s Armed Forces of the DPRK based in Pyongyang, is involved in weapons trading. During 2019-2021, the department's Russian office has purportedly sourced bearings, communications, and electronics components for the DPRK from Russia. From late 2021, it has also participated in several construction projects in Congo, likely employing DPRK laborers. These projects include multiple hospitals and housing complexes. The reporting member state indicates that Department 53 operates through subsidiary and front companies, with representatives in several countries.				[sources]
Status	not available				[sources]
Address	Pyongyang, North Korea				[sources]
Last change	2024-06-18	Last processed	2024-10-09	First seen	2023-08-08