North ‘broker’ nabbed

Man on charges of selling missile componentry to help Pyongyang

A SOUTH Korean-born Sydney man has been charged with allegedly acting as an agent for North Korea by trying to raise tens of millions of dollars by selling missile componentry and expertise, counter to Australian and UN sanctions.

The 59-year-old was arrested in Eastwood on Saturday morning after a “very complex” AFP investigation.

Chan Han Choi is facing six charges related to brokering the sale of missile componentry and expertise from North Korea; and attempting to transfer coal from North Korea to entities in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Mr Choi did not appear or apply for bail when his matter was mentioned in Parramatta bail court yesterday, and it was formally refused by acting Magistrate Carl Milovanovich.

He is the first person in Australia to be charged with brokering sales and discussing the supply of weapons of mass destruction, AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said yesterday.

“His actions were all around trying to raise revenue for the government of North Korea,” said Mr Gaughan, adding all business activity happened offshore.

He said there had been no risk to the Australian public and that no weapons, or missile componentry — which he said was software — had been imported.

The charges related to alleged activity over the past year, but allegations date to 2008.

Mr Gaughan said Mr Choi, who has lived in Australia for 30 years, was not a spy but a broker.

“This man was a loyal agent of North Korea, who believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose,” he said.

“I think he would sell whatever he could to make money back for the North Korean Government.”

Mr Choi has been charged over two transactions were unsuccessful.

“But we estimate that if these trades were successful we’re talking tens of millions of dollars,” Mr Gaughan.

He said the AFP started investigating the man after tipoff from another international agency on another matter.

The AFP allege he was generating income for Pyongyang by brokering the sale of software for the guidance of ballistic missiles to other “international entities”.

“This case is like nothing we that have ever seen on Australia soil,” Mr Gaughan said.

“Any individual who attempts to fly in the face of sanctions cannot and will not go unnoticed in Australia.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he had been briefed on the arrest and congratulated the AFP for its investigation.

The maximum penalty for the offences is 10 years in jail.

Mr Milovanovich adjourned the matter to Wednesday in Central Local Court.