Joint MFA-MHA Press Statement in response to media queries about the criminal charges filed against the Singapore-registered company Chinpo Shipping Company (Private) Limited

In response to media queries about the criminal charges filed against the Singapore-registered company Chinpo Shipping Company (Private) Limited, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs issued the following statement:

“In January this year, Singapore received information that a Singapore-registered company had been implicated in the shipment of arms and related materiel bound for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from Cuba that was interdicted by Panama in July 2013.

The Government of Singapore immediately launched an investigation into this case. The Singapore Police Force has completed its investigation and the Public Prosecutor has filed criminal charges against Chinpo Shipping Company (Private) Limited and a Singapore citizen, Tan Hui Tin. The parties have been charged in Court for the offences on 10 June 2014. The nature of the criminal charges can be ascertained from the charge sheets, available upon request from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Singapore takes a serious view of our international obligations to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), their means of delivery and related materials. As a responsible member of the international community, Singapore has given full effect in our domestic legislation to the measures prescribed by United Nations Security Council resolutions and will take action against any individuals and/or companies that flout these.”

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE