Obama extends executive orders imposing sanctions on N. Korea

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday extended executive orders imposing sanctions on North Korea, saying the communist nation poses an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the U.S. Obama notified Congress of the continuation of North Korea's designation as a "national emergency," which serves as the basis for a series of executive orders calling for sanctions on Pyongyang for provocations, such as its fourth nuclear test in January. By law, such national emergencies should be extended every year. In a letter to Congress, Obama said the North continues to "constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States," citing the existence and risk of proliferation of weapons-grade fissile materials as well as its nuclear and missile programs. The measure extended Executive Orders 13466, 13551, 13570, 13687 and 13722, which were issued in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015 and this year, respectively. Executive Order 13551 was designed to punish the North for sinking the South Korean warship Cheonan. Executive Order 13687 came in response to the North's cyber-attack on Sony Pictures and Executive Order 13722 came in response to the nuclear test. jschang@yna.co.kr (END)