S. Korean Australian faces charges of breaching UN sanctions on Pyongyang

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By Yi Whan-woo

A South Korean-born Australian man is facing charges of breaching U.N. sanctions against North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program, Australian media outlets have reported this week.

The trial of Choi Chan-han, 62, began at the New South Wales Supreme Court, Feb. 3.

Citing Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Single, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported Choi had "extensive connections" to North Korea and faces seven charges, including being involved in brokering five transactions of coal, iron, petroleum, missiles, military equipment and other items to benefit the North.

This makes him the first person to be charged under Australia's weapons of mass destruction laws enacted in 1995.

None of the alleged transactions were successful, but the fact that Choi had "pulled the plug" before they succeeded was not relevant, Single was quoted as saying by ABC.

"What is important is the accused's role in terms of those transactions and whether you are satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, that he was involved in brokering those transactions," Single said.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Choi additionally told people on numerous occasions that he acted on behalf of North Korea, which he referred to as "our Motherland" and visited North Korea on at least seven occasions.

Choi was born in South Korea and arrived in Australia in 1987. He became an Australian citizen in 2000.