LOC20:19
17:19 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (KUNA) -- The US on Friday designated 16 entities and seven individuals for ties to North Korea and its nuclear and ballistic missile plans.
The decision was made "in response to North Korea's September 2016 nuclear test, ongoing prohibited development of weapons of mass destruction and continued violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions," said the Treasury Department.
"The targets include officials and companies from the transportation, mining, energy, and financial services industries," it added in a statement.
Any property or interests belonging to the designated parties found to be held by others within the US "must be blocked," said the Treasury, adding that Americans are prohibited from business dealings with the designated parties.
Commenting on the decision, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Adam Szubin said it aims to "cut the flow of financial resources to North Korea and further counter the regime's destabilizing and provocative behavior."
Szubin said that the US "will continue to use all of its financial tools to intensify the pressure on North Korea and those supporting the regime's nuclear ambitions and weapons of mass destruction programs."
The move comes after the UN Security Council on Wednesday passed sanctions on Pyongyang's exports, particularly of its major resource coal, aimed at limiting revenue used to fund nuclear activities.
According to media reports, the sanctions would limit North Korean exports by over USD 800 million a year. (end)
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