On December 10, OFAC designated three officials of the DPRK for their alleged involvement in perpetrating serious human rights abuses against North Korean citizens. The designations accompany a new report released by the State Department, the "Report on Serious Human Rights Abuses or Censorship in North Korea," which details the ongoing efforts of the DPRK to censor North Korean media outlets, stifle freedom of expression, and punish citizens who access non-government media. OFAC's designations are also reportedly in retaliation for the treatment of Otto Warmbier, the US citizen whose 2017 death resulted from injuries sustained while detained by North Korean authorities. Pursuant to EO 13687, OFAC designated three senior officials of the DPRK:
- Jong Kyong Thaek, Minister of State Security
- Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the Organization and Guidance Department at the Workers Party of North Korea
- Pak Kwang Ho, Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers Party of North Korea
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