WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The United States imposed new sanctions against two North Korean firms, citing proliferation activities.
Pyongyang's Korea Mining and Development Corporation and Hesong Trading Corporation were found to have engaged in missile technology proliferation activities that require additional sanctions, according to a statement from the State Department issued Thursday.
The sanctions, effective Sept. 24, place restrictions on U.S. arms traders and manufacturers, banning them from selling technology to the firms listed. The companies were found to be in violation of Executive Orders 12398 and 13222.
The U.S. sanctions against KOMID and Hesong also apply to any of its subunits and successors, and are to be imposed for two years. During that time, any items on the U.S. Munitions List are banned from transfer to the firms, and no U.S. government contracts can be forged with the organizations listed.
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South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Korea Mining and Development Corporation is already subject to U.S. sanctions under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, and that Hesong Trading Corporation is on a list of firms under U.N. sanctions.
The recent measures follow a Sept. 2 State Department decision to impose sanctions against RyonHap-2, a North Korean military weapons development firm.
North Korea's failure to comply with demands to denuclearize has led to sanctions against the country, and against its foreign partners. In July the Treasury Department blacklisted Singapore shipping firm Senat Shipping for purchasing weapons on behalf of Pyongyang and providing extensive support. The Treasury froze all the firm's assets in the United States and banned U.S. citizens from business dealings with Senat.
North Korea sanctions also were recently implemented in Britain. Voice of America reported the British Foreign Office announced new sanctions on Wednesday, against 33 North Korean individuals and 36 entities representing Pyongyang, including KOMID and Room 39, a clandestine organization that oversees Pyongyang's foreign currency slush fund.
