U.S. Blocks North Korea's Trade in Total, Touches Chinese Millions

The United States appointed a Chinese national, 13 units and 20 ships as part of a new package of sanctions targeting North Korea on its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, the US Treasury Department said on Tuesday.

The American Treasury Department in control of foreign assets has sanctioned an individual, 13 subjects and 20 ships, as the United States continues to take multilateral and unilateral measures to undermine the illegal financing of North Korea from its illegal nuclear and ballistic programmes,” the Treasury Department said through a statement.

The Treasury Department said North Korea is known for its use of fraudulent ships practically to escape sanctions, including ship-ship transfers, a practice banned by UN Security Council Resolution 2375, reports “Sputnik International” Transmission Periscope.

“We are also sanctioning transport companies, and their ships, which facilitate North Korea's trade and its fraudulent bid”, said Steven Mnuchin secretary of the US Treasury.

The Office of Foreign Treasury Asset Control has sanctioned Chinese citizen Sun Sindong and his company, Dandong Dongyuan Industrial Co. for allegedly exporting goods worth over $28m to North Korea in recent years, including items related to nuclear reactors.

Also among the targeted subjects were Dandong Kehua Economy and Trade Co, Dundong Xianghe Trade Co., Ltd and Dandong Hongda Trade Co. Itd three companies reportedly exported some $650m to North Korea.

The sanctions also target the Korea of the Rungrado Shipping Corporation, Korea Rungrado Rjongak Trading, Yusong Shipping Company, Daa Marine Management Co. Ltd., Korea Daebong Shipping Company and Korea Kumbyol Trafficing Company, along with numerous ship operating by companies.

US Secretary of State. Rex Tillerson announced Monday that US would impose a new package of sanctions against North Korea that would be broader and affect more entities than punishment measures imposed in the past. /Periscopi/