US issues new DPRK sanctions targeting people, companies and ships

World Today

In this undated photo provided on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the the Sungri Motor Complex in Pyeongannam-do, North Korea. The Trump administration is due to announce new sanctions on North Korea on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, after declaring it a state sponsor of terrorism in the latest push to isolate the pariah nation. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The U.S. Treasury Department expanded its list of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions on Tuesday, adding people, companies, and ships. This comes as The Republic of Korea’s foreign minister is in Beijing meeting with her Chinese counterpart on multiple topics, including the DPRK.

CGTN’s Jessica Stone reports.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued sanctions against 34 additional individuals and companies Tuesday afternoon.

The latest round of sanctions falls under three categories:

  • Four Chinese companies which allegedly exported raw materials and computers to Pyongyang, and one Chinese individual – Mr. Sidong Sun – who reportedly owns one of the designated companies.
  • DPRK entities including nine companies and 20 ships. According to photographs released by the Treasury, these companies allegedly used ship-to-ship transfers to move products in an effort to evade sanctions.
  • One DPRK company, named on allegations it exported DPRK workers to generate revenue for Pyongyang.
An image of DPRK ship "RYE SONG GANG 1," which the U.S. Treasury Department added to its list of sanctions for allegedly conducting ship-to-ship transfers, possibly of oil, to avoid prior sanctions. (US Department of the Treasury)

An image of DPRK ship “RYE SONG GANG 1,” which the U.S. Treasury Department added to its list of sanctions for allegedly conducting ship-to-ship transfers, possibly of oil, to avoid prior sanctions. (US Department of the Treasury)

None of these sanctions are connected to Monday’s White House announcement that Washington is adding Pyongyang back to its “state sponsor of terrorism” list. That decision is raising some concerns in Beijing, where there’s fear that any further pressure on Pyongyang could lead to the resumption of its unlawful missile tests.

China Daily’s English-language paper issued an editorial on Tuesday, saying: “The U.S. designation of the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism could lay waste to the efforts of China and Russia to bring the DPRK back to the negotiation table.”

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also said Beijing hopes all sides will put more effort into returning to negotiations.

At the same time, Air China is reportedly suspending flights between Beijing and the DPRK. The Associated Press quoted a company press officer as saying flights were “temporarily suspended due to unsatisfactory business operations.”

There’s no mention of the change on the airline’s English website.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to meet with Seoul’s top diplomat. According to the Blue House, ROK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Chinese counterpart will discuss ways in which they can work together to reach a peaceful resolution to the DPRK nuclear issue.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson only mentioned that improving bilateral ties is on the agenda.

ROK President Moon Jae-in visits China next month. In late October, the two countries resumed normal relations after Beijing objected to Seoul’s decision to install an American anti-missile defense system known as THAAD.