US targets Chinese, Russian entities, individuals

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 10 entities and six individuals 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 US sanctions, a statement on the department's official site Tuesday read.

"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 US and international financial systems, the statement said.

"As a result of today's action, any property or interests in property of the designated persons in the possession or control of US persons or within the United States must be blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them," it added.

"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," said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.

Russia's Gefest-M LLC and its director, Russian national Ruben Kirakosyan, were among those who were designated for support to the US-designated Korea Tangun Trading Corporation.

Source : Mena