LOC19:11
16:11 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- The U.S. Treasury announced Tuesday sanctions against 16 Russian and Chinese entities in response to North Korea's ongoing development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), violations of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions and attempted evasion of U.S. sanctions.
The Department of Treasury said in a statement that today's sanctions target third-country companies and individuals that "assist already-designated persons who support North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, deal in the North Korean energy trade, facilitate its exportation of workers and enable sanctioned North Korean entities to access the U.S. and international financial systems."
These actions complement United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2371, enacted on August 5, 2017, and hold the Government of North Korea responsible for its continued testing of ballistic missiles and WMD development, the statement affirmed.
In this regard, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stressed that the Treasury "will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and isolating them from the American financial system."
"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region," he remarked.
He affirmed "we are taking actions consistent with UN sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future." (end)
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