North Korea's primary exporter of ballistic missile-related equipment and conventional weapons; owned by the North Korean government; overseen by the Second Economic Committee.

Designated by the U.N. Security Council on April 24, 2009 pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), requiring (with some exceptions) states to freeze immediately funds, financial assets and economic resources on their territories that are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the entity, and to ensure that funds, financial assets and economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by persons or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the entity.

Sanctioned for a period of two years (with all subunits or successors) by the U.S. Department of State on September 24, 2015, pursuant to Executive Order 12938, for engaging in missile technology proliferation activities; sanctions prohibit U.S. government procurement from or assistance to the entity, import into the United States of products provided by the entity, and transfers of U.S.-origin defense goods and services destined for the entity; added on June 29, 2005 to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), freezing its assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting transactions with U.S. parties, pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems; sanctioned by the United States in 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, and 2001 for engaging in proliferation activities; sanctioned by the United States in 2009, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, and 1992 for engaging in missile technology proliferation activities.

Listed by the European Union on May 13, 2009, pursuant to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 (2006), applying the restrictions mandated by the United Nations; sanctioned by the governments of Australia, Japan, Norway, and Switzerland, restricting business and financial transactions with the listed entity and/or freezing its assets in those countries; listed by the Japanese government in 2015 as an entity of concern for proliferation relating to missiles and biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons.

Has transferred missile technology to Iran, including to Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) and Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO); prior to 2003, transferred missile-related technology to Pakistan's Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), reportedly including three to six Nodong missiles; prior to 2002, supplied Scud missiles to Yemen; in 1999 and 2000, was involved in negotiations with Iraq to supply it with technology for surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 1300 km, anti-ship missiles with a range of 300 km, and other systems.

Reportedly has assisted Syria in producing weapons, including reverse-engineered versions of the Kornet anti-tank guided missile originally supplied to Syria by Russia; in 2009, reportedly sought to procure equipment for transporter erector launchers (TELs) for Scud missiles intended for a ballistic missile project in Yemen; in 2008, reportedly sought, in cooperation with China-based New East International Trading Ltd., to transfer three Japanese-origin cylindrical grinding machines to Burma using false end-use statements; in 1999, reportedly supplied 12 missile engines to Iran.

After being placed under U.N. sanctions, transferred many of its activities to Green Pine Associated Corporation.

Subsidiaries include:

Korea Taesong Trading Company 
Korea Heungjin Trading Company 
Hong Kong Electronics
Hesong Trading Corporation 
Tosong Technology Trading Corporation

Other affiliated companies reportedly include Global Trading and Technology; reportedly has an office in Burma.

Has received assistance in the financing of ballistic missile sales from Tanchon Commercial Bank (TCB); has had weapon shipments facilitated by Leader (Hong Kong) International); Daedong Credit Bank (DCB) has facilitated KOMID financial transactions; has procured weapons production equipment from Alex Tsai and his Taiwan-based Trans Merits Co.; has worked with Macao-based Zokwang Trading, which deals in weaponry, including missile and rocket engines and parts, as well as nuclear power plant components.

Company officials include Yo'n Cho'ng Nam (chief representative), Ko Ch'o'l-Chae (deputy chief representative), Kim Kyu (external affairs officer), Kil Jong Hun, Kim Kwang Yon, Jang Song Chol, Kim Yong Chol, Jang Yong Son, Ryu Jin, and Kang Ryong.