U.S. closely watching N. Korean proliferation efforts: Pentagon

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, July 23 (Yonhap) -- The United States is closely monitoring any
efforts by North Korea to proliferate its weapons of mass destruction -- trade
that is banned under a United Nations resolution, the Pentagon said Thursday.

"The United States is fulfilling its obligations," spokesman Bryan Whitman said
in a daily news briefing. "We have a role in that. We have certain capabilities
and resources. We are, obviously, watching North Korea closely from many
different aspects: the proliferation aspect, shipping, as well as monitoring
missile activities."
The spokesman was referring to the resolution adopted after North Korea's nuclear
test on May 25.
The resolution bans the North from any further nuclear and ballistic missile
tests and imposes financial sanctions, an overall arms embargo and cargo
interdictions to head off the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
including nuclear arms.
Under the resolution, the U.N. Security Council slapped fresh sanctions on North
Korea last week by listing five North Korean officials and as many North Korean
firms subject to a travel ban and asset freeze for their involvement in nuclear
and missile development programs.
Adm. Timothy Keating, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Wednesday
expressed concerns over North Korea's alleged military cooperation with Myanmar,
formerly Burma.
"If it is, in fact, Burma that is receiving goods and assistance from North
Korea, that's against -- that violates United Nations Security Council Resolution
1718," Keating said. "And we, along with the international community, would be
very concerned if that is, in fact, occurring."
The commander was echoing U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who also
Wednesday expressed "growing concerns" over "military cooperation between North
Korea and Burma, which we take very seriously," hinting at the possible transfer
of nuclear and missile technology.
On Clinton's remarks, Whitman said, "She is carrying very strong messages this
government and many countries around the world have for some time about North
Korean behavior."
A North Korean cargo ship, possibly on its way to Myanmar, returned home recently
after a pursuit by U.S. Navy vessels operating under an interdiction mandate
imposed recently by the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, which was adopted
in early June after North Korea's second nuclear test in May.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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