OFAC Penalizes North Korea’s Cyber Networks and Imposes a 1.45 Million Dollar Fine on Harman International for Iran Infractions

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced fresh sanctions against individuals and entities aiding North Korea’s illicit cyber operations and imposed a $1.45 million penalty on Harman International for violations of Iran sanctions.

OFAC designated Russian national Gayk Asatryan and two of his companies—Asatryan LLC and Fortuna LLC—for facilitating the employment of North Korean IT workers abroad. These operatives, often using false identities, generate revenue for the regime in Pyongyang while operating in violation of international sanctions. Several North Korean and Chinese-based individuals and companies were also added to the sanctions list for their involvement in cyber operations and IT work abroad.

Separately, OFAC finalized a $1.45 million settlement with Harman International Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung, after determining that employees at a UAE-based distributor knowingly diverted Harman products to Iran over a two-year period. OFAC deemed the violations “egregious,” although the company voluntarily self-disclosed them.

The sanctions are part of broader U.S. efforts to target financial networks that enable sanctioned regimes to bypass restrictions through front companies and third-country intermediaries. OFAC reaffirmed its commitment to “disrupt revenue-generating activities that fund North Korea’s weapons programs and support sanctioned actors in Iran.”