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U.S. sanctions North Koreans it links to weapons, financial networks

 

The North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/files

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Friday sanctioned 11 North Koreans and one North Korean company for their links to the country's weapons programs, banks and commodities trade, the U.S. Treasury said.

 

It said the people were working as agents of North Korea's government in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cuba to provide financial support or help procure weapons for previously sanctioned companies.

 

"Today's sanctions are aimed at disrupting the networks and methods that the Government of North Korea employs to fund its unlawful nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "I urge our partners and allies to take similar measures to cut off its funding."

 

Friday's actions by the administration of President Donald Trump do not represent a major ramp-up in North Korea sanctions and were issued under authorities established by former presidents George W. Bush, a Republican, and Barack Obama, a Democrat.

 

Two North Koreans based in China and one North Korean based in Cuba were blacklisted for ties to Korea Ryonbong General Corporation, a previously sanctioned company that "specializes in acquisition for North Korean defense industries and support to Pyongyang's military-related sales," the statement said.

 

Another worked for a North Korean trading company in Dalian, China, the U.S. Treasury said.

 

It said six North Koreans based in Vietnam, China and Russia were sanctioned for their ties to North Korean banks.

 

One person on the sanctioned list worked as a North Korean government official who was trying to establish a cargo shipping route between North Korea and Vietnam, Treasury said.

 

The U.S. measures on Friday block any property those on the sanctions list may have in the United States and bar Americans from dealing with them.

 

The Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea off from the global financial system in order to counter Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threat, as well as increased pressure on Chinese banks and firms that do business with North Korea. The administration is conducting a broad review of North Korea policy, expected to be completed in coming weeks.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-01

[dunroaming]

Sanctions seem fair enough, it is the traditional way after all.

[elgordo38]

28 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

Sanctions seem fair enough, it is the traditional way after all.

Yes they are part of the "fight" North Korea campaign for as long as I can remember. Has not gotten us very far. Kim Jung  just thumbs his nose at these moves. Maybe a low level covert op might work similar to what happened to his half brother. Polish his face a little. 

[maoro2013]

Yes but what about the one demanding sanctions. A little bit unfair I think.

 

Interesting business when the big guy sets the rules. 

[Ramen087]

A vacuum in a country like this could be a larger problem than having a somewhat known entity in charge. "Better the devil you know " comes to mind. 

[Srikcir]

Both Trump pre-election and Tillerson post-election promised a approach' to North Korea. Now the answer is Obama-style sanctions endorsed by Hillary.