ID :
44132
Wed, 02/04/2009 - 16:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44132
The shortlink copeid
U.S. slaps sanctions on N. Korean firms
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- The United States imposed two-year sanctions on three North Korean firms for their involvement in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The move on Monday was the first of its kind from the Barack Obama
administration. The sanctions, while largely symbolic, bar U.S. companies and
government agencies from doing business with the North Korean firms.
Similar penalties were also imposed on Iranian and Chinese companies.
The Federal Register notice comes at a sensitive time for Washington's diplomatic
initiative to denuclearize North Korea. Pyongyang reiterated on Feb. 2 it intends
to hold on to its atomic arsenal until the U.S. removes "nuclear threats" against
it.
North Korea has also lashed out at the conservative South Korean government of
Lee Myung-bak in recent weeks. It has notably refrained from making direct
criticisms of Washington's new government.
Obama's administration has underlined the importance of the six-party framework
in disarming the North, but is also seeking more direct bilateral engagement with
Pyongyang
The North Korean firms include Korea Mining and Development Corporation (KOMID),
Moksong Trading Corporation and Sino-Ki.
The notice did not elaborate what kind of proliferation activities the companies
were involved in, saying only the sanctions under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act and several other acts have become effective as of Feb. 2.
The U.S. regularly issues lists of foreign firms sanctioned for their involvement
in WMD proliferation.
In October, the U.S. released a notice that a slew of foreign companies,
including a South Korean firm, were being sanctioned for contributing to WMD
development in North Korea, Iran and Syria.
South Korea's Yolin/Yullin Tech Inc. was on the October list announced by the
State Department. Two North Korean firms, Korea Mining and Development Corp. and
Korea Taesong Trading Co., were also listed along with other companies from Iran,
Russia, Syria, Venezuela, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and China.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced the U.S. at the time for
violating international laws by unilaterally imposing trade sanctions on foreign
firms, including a Russian arms manufacturer.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- The United States imposed two-year sanctions on three North Korean firms for their involvement in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The move on Monday was the first of its kind from the Barack Obama
administration. The sanctions, while largely symbolic, bar U.S. companies and
government agencies from doing business with the North Korean firms.
Similar penalties were also imposed on Iranian and Chinese companies.
The Federal Register notice comes at a sensitive time for Washington's diplomatic
initiative to denuclearize North Korea. Pyongyang reiterated on Feb. 2 it intends
to hold on to its atomic arsenal until the U.S. removes "nuclear threats" against
it.
North Korea has also lashed out at the conservative South Korean government of
Lee Myung-bak in recent weeks. It has notably refrained from making direct
criticisms of Washington's new government.
Obama's administration has underlined the importance of the six-party framework
in disarming the North, but is also seeking more direct bilateral engagement with
Pyongyang
The North Korean firms include Korea Mining and Development Corporation (KOMID),
Moksong Trading Corporation and Sino-Ki.
The notice did not elaborate what kind of proliferation activities the companies
were involved in, saying only the sanctions under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act and several other acts have become effective as of Feb. 2.
The U.S. regularly issues lists of foreign firms sanctioned for their involvement
in WMD proliferation.
In October, the U.S. released a notice that a slew of foreign companies,
including a South Korean firm, were being sanctioned for contributing to WMD
development in North Korea, Iran and Syria.
South Korea's Yolin/Yullin Tech Inc. was on the October list announced by the
State Department. Two North Korean firms, Korea Mining and Development Corp. and
Korea Taesong Trading Co., were also listed along with other companies from Iran,
Russia, Syria, Venezuela, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and China.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced the U.S. at the time for
violating international laws by unilaterally imposing trade sanctions on foreign
firms, including a Russian arms manufacturer.
