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UNSC DPRK Sanctions List Updated: IMO Number Changes

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-2023/119 · issued 19 Sep 2022 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all regulated entities to note amendments to two entries on the UNSCR 1718 DPRK sanctions list, affecting only IMO numbers. Daily verification of the MEA-hosted list remains mandatory.
Sanctions-list safety note. This circular refers to a specific UN Security Council / UAPA designated-entities list update as it stood on the date above — sanctions lists change often, and a newer update almost certainly exists today. Never use this page, or any single dated circular, as your current screening list. Always screen against the live, current list at the official UAPA proscribed-organisations list and the UN Consolidated List, and confirm the obligations for your bank on the official rbi.org.in source below.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A payments & clearing officer in Indore, Mr. Kumar, verifies the UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List daily on the MEA website to ensure accurate identification of sanctioned parties. He updates the list with the revised IMO numbers for two affected entries, ensuring compliance with UN sanctions and domestic orders. Mr. Kumar's diligence helps prevent non-compliance and maintains the bank's reputation.

What changed

The UN Security Council's DPRK sanctions committee amended two existing entries on its sanctions list on September 14, 2022. The changes are limited to updating the IMO numbers of the designated individuals or entities; no new additions or deletions were made.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must update their screening databases to reflect the corrected IMO numbers for the two affected entries. Failure to align with the latest list could result in non-compliance with UN sanctions and domestic orders. This is a routine but critical update to ensure accurate identification of sanctioned parties.

What you must do

Who it affects

All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), Compliance and AML teams, Trade finance and correspondent banking departments

❓ Common questions

What exactly changed in the sanctions list?

Only the IMO numbers of two existing entries were amended. No new individuals or entities were added, and no entries were deleted.

Do I still need to check the MEA website daily?

Yes, the earlier requirement to verify the UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List daily on the MEA website remains unchanged.

What is the legal basis for this compliance?

The 'Implementation of Security Council Resolution on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Order, 2017' as amended by the Central Government, and RBI circulars on the same.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2022-2023/119 DOR.AML.REC.69/14.06.001/2022-23 September 19, 2022 The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities Madam/Dear Sir, United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1718 Sanctions Committee on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) amends 02 existing entries on its Sanctions List Please refer to our circular DoR.AML.REC.03/14.06.001/2021-22 dated April 08, 2021 advising Regulated Entities (REs) to adhere to the ‘Implementation of Security Council Resolution on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Order, 2017’ as amended from time to time by the Central Government and also verify every day, the ‘UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List of Designated Individuals and Entities‘, as hyperlinked in ‘Implementation of UNSC Sanctions (DPRK)‘ webpage of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) website at https://www.mea.gov.in/Implementation-of-UNSC-Sanctions-DPRK.htm , to take note of the modifications to the list in terms of additions, deletions or other changes. 2. In this connection, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has informed that on September 14, 2022, the Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution has enacted the amendments to two (2) entries on its Sanction List of individuals and entities. The changes have been made only in the existing entries of this Sanction List and pertains to IMO number of individuals / entities. The updated consolidated Sanctions List of individuals and entities is enclosed . 3. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned instructions regarding Security Council Resolution on DPRK and ensure meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, (Santosh Kumar Panigrahy) Chief General Manager Enclosure- As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-2023/119 · issued 19 Sep 2022. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Update your sanctions screening systems with the revised IMO numbers from the enclosed consolidated list.
📜 Compliance
  • Continue daily verification of the UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List on the MEA website as per earlier instructions.
  • Ensure compliance with the 'Implementation of Security Council Resolution on DPRK Order, 2017' and its amendments.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), Compliance and AML teams, Trade finance and correspondent banking departments), your first concrete step on “UNSC DPRK Sanctions List Updated: IMO Number Changes” is: “Update your sanctions screening systems with the revised IMO numbers from the enclosed consolidated list.” (RBI issued this 19 Sep 2022).

  1. Circular: RBI/2022-2023/119 -- UNSC DPRK Sanctions List Updated: IMO Number Changes
  2. Issued: 19 Sep 2022
  3. Action required: Update your sanctions screening systems with the revised IMO numbers from the enclosed consolidated list.
  4. Action required: Continue daily verification of the UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List on the MEA website as per earlier instructions.
  5. Action required: Ensure compliance with the 'Implementation of Security Council Resolution on DPRK Order, 2017' and its amendments.
  6. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  7. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  8. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12390&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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