WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order on Monday that will freeze the assets of certain individuals, companies and organizations related to North Korea’s nuclear program, the U.S. Treasury Department announced.

The new order expanded the executive Order 13466 issued on June 26, 2008. The expansion was made after Obama considered that certain actions and policies of North Korea constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to national security, foreign policy and economy of the U.S.

The sanctions target the continued involvement of North Korea in a wide range of proliferation and other illicit activities in defiance of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1718 and 1874.

The Treasury department in consultation with eh State Department will sanction individuals and organizations facilitating North Korean trafficking in weapons; procurement of luxury goods; and engagement in illicit economic activities like money laundering, counterfeit of goods and currency, bulk cash smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

Three North Korean entities were identified for sanctions: The Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), Green Pine Associated Corporation, and Office 39 of the Korean Worker’s Party. The three organizations provide support to North Korea with arms trade and illicit economic activities.

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