OFAC sanctions program

North Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Program

North Korea (DPRK) is subject to comprehensive US sanctions covering nearly all transactions. The program is among the strictest in the US sanctions catalogue and targets the regime's weapons programs, financial networks, and labor exports.

Program at a glance

Program codeDPRK
Legal authorityNorth Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act; EOs 13466, 13551, 13570, 13687, 13722, 13810
ScopeComprehensive / DPRK
Designation volumeApproximately 1,500+ SDN designations

Who and what it targets

The Government of North Korea, the Worker's Party, designated banks, shipping and insurance entities, and IT worker revenue-generation networks.

Relevance to AI agents

DPRK is comprehensively sanctioned and a top priority for crypto enforcement (state-sponsored wallet laundering). Any North Korea nexus is a hard block; the wallet-screening and jurisdiction-screening layers both apply.

Screening note. A counterparty program match is not always a blanket block — the program tag tells your agent how to route the hit (hard block for terrorism/embargo, review-required for sectoral, etc.). SanctionsAI returns the program code on every match.

Frequently asked questions

Is all trade with North Korea prohibited?

Yes. The DPRK program is comprehensive; nearly all transactions are prohibited, with very narrow humanitarian exceptions.

Why is DPRK relevant to crypto agents?

North Korea's state actors are among the most prolific crypto thieves and launderers. Wallet screening catches designated DPRK-linked addresses.

Compliance disclaimer. This page is educational and not legal advice. Program scope and current general licenses must be confirmed against the live OFAC programme page and, where relevant, by a qualified professional.

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