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.

Among the companies targeted by the Treasury Department include Korea Taesong Trading Company and Korea Heugjin Trading Company. The companies are Pyongyang-based and used by the Korea Mining Development (KOMID) for trading purposes. KOMID is Pyongyang’s main arms dealer and main exporter of goods. They have offices located in multiple countries around the world with the primary directive of facilitating weapons sales. The company was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State in 2008.

Two munitions industrial departments related to the development and production of North Korea’s ballistic missile program were also sanctioned. Additionally, the Second Academy of Natural Sciences is a national-level organization that is responsible for research and development of North Korea’s advanced weapons systems, which includes missiles and likely their nuclear weapons program.

Two individuals also had their assets frozen within the U.S. One individual acts on behalf of the General Bureau of Atomic Energy (GBAE), responsible for North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Another is involved with the Namchongang Trading Corporation, a North Korean trading company subordinate to the GBAE.

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 the 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 additional 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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