ID :
208539
Wed, 09/21/2011 - 11:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/208539
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27 N. Korean entities, 5 individuals targeted by U.S. sanctions
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- A total of 27 North Korean entities and five individuals have been targeted under financial sanctions imposed by the United States, including the alleged caretaker of leader Kim Jong-il's secret funds, a South Korean lawmaker said Wednesday.
The U.S. has imposed financial sanctions on North Korean firms and people for their involvement in the trade of weapons of mass destruction, counterfeiting money or other illicit activities that support the communist regime.
Washington broadened the sanctions last year in a series of reprisals against Pyongyang over its deadly sinking of a South Korean warship. Forty-six sailors were killed in the torpedo attack in March last year, but North Korea denies responsibility.
The five individuals include Kim Tong-myong, head of North Korea's Tanchon Commercial Bank, who is believed to be taking care of leader Kim's secret funds overseas, and Kim Yong-chul, director of the North's Reconnaissance General Bureau who is believed to have masterminded the attack on the Cheonan warship, according to a report released by Rep. Park Joo-sun of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Park said he obtained the report from the foreign ministry.
Among the North Korean entities listed on the U.S. sanctions blacklist since last November were Korea Taesong Trading, Korea Taesong Bank and Bank of East Land, the report said.
South Korean officials said the North Korean entities are believed to be engaged in a competition to show their allegiance to leader Kim Jong-il and his heir-apparent son Kim Jong-un.
In return, the North Korean leader showers his top aides and other elites with luxury goods to win their loyalty.
North Korea is also under U.N. sanctions for its defiant missile and nuclear tests in 2009. The lifting of the U.N. sanctions is one of key North Korean demands for its return to long-stalled six-party talks on its nuclear programs.
The U.S. has imposed financial sanctions on North Korean firms and people for their involvement in the trade of weapons of mass destruction, counterfeiting money or other illicit activities that support the communist regime.
Washington broadened the sanctions last year in a series of reprisals against Pyongyang over its deadly sinking of a South Korean warship. Forty-six sailors were killed in the torpedo attack in March last year, but North Korea denies responsibility.
The five individuals include Kim Tong-myong, head of North Korea's Tanchon Commercial Bank, who is believed to be taking care of leader Kim's secret funds overseas, and Kim Yong-chul, director of the North's Reconnaissance General Bureau who is believed to have masterminded the attack on the Cheonan warship, according to a report released by Rep. Park Joo-sun of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Park said he obtained the report from the foreign ministry.
Among the North Korean entities listed on the U.S. sanctions blacklist since last November were Korea Taesong Trading, Korea Taesong Bank and Bank of East Land, the report said.
South Korean officials said the North Korean entities are believed to be engaged in a competition to show their allegiance to leader Kim Jong-il and his heir-apparent son Kim Jong-un.
In return, the North Korean leader showers his top aides and other elites with luxury goods to win their loyalty.
North Korea is also under U.N. sanctions for its defiant missile and nuclear tests in 2009. The lifting of the U.N. sanctions is one of key North Korean demands for its return to long-stalled six-party talks on its nuclear programs.
