U.S. blacklists N. Korean firm for involvement in WMD proliferation

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, July 30 (Yonhap) -- The United States Thursday blacklisted a North
Korean firm for its involvement in the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, which were banned by U.N. resolutions after North Korea's nuclear
and missile tests.

"The U.S. Treasury Department today designated a North Korean entity, the Korea
Hyoksin Trading Corporation, under Executive Order 13382 for being owned or
controlled by a North Korean entity, the Korea Ryonbong General Corporation," the
department said in a statement.
Executive Order 13382 "freezes the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass
destruction and their supporters, and it prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in
any transactions with them, thereby isolating them from the U.S. financial and
commercial systems," the statement said.
Adam J. Szubin, director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, said,
"The world community is taking forceful action against the arms and agencies of
North Korea's WMD and missile programs, prohibiting dealings with them and
banning them from participation in the global financial system. We will continue
to do our part to identify and sanction such entities."
Hyoksin is among five North Korean firms blacklisted by the U.N. Security Council
earlier this month under resolution 1874, adopted after North Korea's second
nuclear test on May 25.
Ryonbong was among three North Korean firms targeted by the Security Council in
2006 under resolution 1718, adopted after the North's first nuclear test .
Thursday's statement cited Hyoksin for "being subordinate to Ryonbong and for its
involvement in the development of WMD," adding Ryonbong "specializes in
acquisition for North Korean defense industries and support to Pyongyang's
military-related sales."
hdh@yna.co.kr
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