Police said the man, a naturalized Australian citizen, allegedly brokered the sale of missiles, missile components and expertise from North Korea to other worldwide entities, and discussed the supply of weapons of mass destruction.

The police stressed that it was the first arrest under the Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act 1995 in Australia.

Intriguing details are emerging about the Sydney man accused of brokering the sale of weapons of mass destruction for North Korea.

He has also been charged with breaches of worldwide and domestic sanctions, for allegedly attempting to sell North Korean missile guidance technology and coal on the black market to raise money for the regime. He is divorced with a 30-year-old son and arrived in Australia 30 years ago.

Choi was arrested following the execution of search warrants in Sydney on Saturday.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan speaks to the media about a North Korean agent in Sydney on December 17, 2017. "This man was a loyal agent of North Korea, who believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic objective".

Police will allege the man tried to broker the sale of missile components, including software for the guidance systems of ballistic missiles, as well as trying to sell coal to third parties in Indonesia and Vietnam. Authorities say the sales could have been worth "tens of millions of dollars" and allege he has breached both United Nations and Australian sanctions.

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In September, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that imposed a new batch of sanctions on North Korea's officials, economy, industry and military.

Police believe that the missile components could be used in the "guidance of ballistic missiles". "I think at the end of the day, he'd sell whatever he could to make money back for the North Korean government".

He also allegedly attempted to transfer North Korean coal to third parties in Indonesia and Vietnam, violating worldwide sanctions on the regime. The maximum penalty for the offences is 10 years imprisonment.

"The more economic pressure that can be brought onto North Korea, the sooner that regime will be brought to its senses", said Trumbull.

"I know these charges sound alarming, but let me be clear", commissioner Gaughan said.

However, Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said there was no evidence, and in fact there was evidence to the contrary, that any other foreign government officials were involved in the matter.