EU includes North Korea's Songdowon International Boys' Camp in sanctions against Russia

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Eun-jung = The European Union (EU) designated North Korea's Songdowon International Boys' Camp as a target of sanctions against Russia.

The EU Council announced in its Official Gazette on the 28th (local time) that it would impose additional sanctions on 10 individuals and 17 organizations in connection with Russia's war in Ukraine, and the Voice of America (VOA) reported that the Songdowon International Boys' Camp in Wonsan, Gangwon-do, North Korea was included in the list.

In its Official Gazette, the EU Council defined the camp as "a state-run institution directly established, maintained and controlled by the North Korean authorities" and stated the reason for the sanctions was that it "participated in a systematic program of transporting Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine to North Korea."

In particular, he explained that the program held at the camp "was promoted in cooperation with actors linked to Russia," and that "youth groups linked to the Russian government and the occupation authorities supported the selection, movement, and participation of children in the program."

In addition, it was pointed out that although 'cultural exchange' was promoted on the surface, in reality, children were subjected to forced assimilation, ideological indoctrination, and militarized education while propaganda activities friendly to Russia were carried out.

These sanctions took effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette. The assets of sanctioned entities in the EU are frozen, and EU citizens and companies cannot provide economic resources to them.

Previously, in May, the British government announced a sanctions package targeting Russian-related organizations and individuals suspected of being involved in the forced migration of children to Ukraine and brainwashing, and included North Korea's Songdowon camp site in the list.

North Korea protested against Britain's announcement of sanctions and lowered the level of diplomatic relations to the level of acting ambassador.

The Songdowon camp opened in August 1960 with the purpose of promoting the superiority of the North Korean system to youth in pro-North Korea countries. The program has been mainly targeting students from Africa, Europe, and South America.

At the summer camp held in July, students of Russian and Chinese nationality gathered here and interacted.