US Names DPRK Officials Directly Tied to Proliferation Activities
With its commitment to prevent The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to advance its proliferation activity, the United States of America today designated three prominent officials directy linked to country's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs.
According to the US State Department, the new designations are pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of WMD and their supporters.
US reiterates that DPRK's nuclear and missile proliferation activities violate UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and 2094 (2013), destabilize the region, and undermine the global nonproliferation regime.
 Kim Jong-il with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2001. Photo: Wikimedia Commons |
US asserts the new designations of three senior members of the North Korean government follow actions taken March 7 by the US against China-based representatives of the Korea Mining Development Corporation (KOMID) and Tanchon Commercial Bank (TCB).
DPRK faces continued isolation with the new new designations
According to US State Department, North Korea will continue to face isolation if it defies to comply with its international obligations and address the concerns of the international community over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
"The United States continues to encourage North Korea to choose the path of peace and remains prepared to engage constructively with North Korea if it changes its course." - US State Department
 A nursery home near Pyongyang with children suffering from malnutrition. UN Photo |
Names of Three North Korean entities unveiled who are directly link to DPRK's proliferation activities
Pak To-Chun
Pak To-Chun is the head of U.S.- and European Union-designated Munitions Industry Department. The agency reportedly manages North Korea's weapons production and arms exports.
US State Department states Pak is a full member of the Korean Worker Party's (KWP) Political Bureau, its highest decision-making body, as well the National Defense Commission, which, among other things, oversees several elements of North Korea's security apparatus.
Identifiers
PAK TO-CHUN (a.k.a.: Pak To'-Ch'un; a.k.a.: Pak Do Chun; D.O.B.: 9 March 1944; P.O.B.: Nangim County, Chagang Province, DPRK)
Chu Kyu-Chang
Chu Kyu-Chang is a KWP Political Bureau (alternate) member and directs the Munitions Industry Department.
Chu Kyu-Chang formerly chaired the U.S.-designated Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS) and the Second Economic Committee (SEC).
SANS is a national-level organization responsible for research and development of North Korea's advanced weapons systems, including missiles and probably nuclear weapons. SEC is responsible for overseeing the production of North Korea's ballistic missiles.
CHU KYU-CHANG (a.k.a.: Chu Kyu-Ch'ang; a.k.a.: Ju Kyu-Chang; D.O.B.: November 25, 1928; P.O.B.: Hamju County, South Hamgyong Province, DPRK)
O Kuk-Ryol
O Kuk-Ryol is a Vice Chairman of the North Korean National Defense Commission. He formerly headed the KWP Operations Department where he ordered the establishment of a nuclear research.
O KUK-RYOL (a.k.a.: O Ku'k-ryo'l D.O.B.: 7 January 1930; P.O.B.: Onso'ng County, North Hamgyo'ng Province, DPRK
Foreign Trade Bank of the DPRK under fire
In addition, the US State Department of the Treasury also designated the Foreign Trade Bank of the DPRK and Paek Se Bong pursuant to E.O. 13382 for WMD proliferation-related activity.
More US sanctions on North Korean entities
The US continues to exercise national authorities to sanction North Korean entities, individuals, and those that support them in facilitating programs that threaten the American people.
On January 24, the Departments of State and the Treasury designated a number of North Korean individuals and entities under Executive Order 13382, which targets actors involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters.
In addition, the Department of State designated the Korean Committee for Space Technology, North Korea's space agency and several officials directly involved in North Korea's April 2012 and December 2012 launches, which contributed to the DPRK's long-range ballistic missile development efforts.
The Department of the Treasury also designated several Beijing-based North Korean officials linked to the DPRK's Tanchon Commercial Bank, which has been designated by the UN and the United States for its role in facilitating the sales of conventional arms, ballistic missiles, and related items.
The Treasury Department also targeted Leader (Hong Kong) International Trading Limited, a Hong Kong-based firm, for its links to the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation, the DPRK's premier arms dealer and exporter of missile- and weapon-related goods.
North Korea's nuclear test has costly consequences
The US is working with the international community to make clear that North Korea's nuclear test has costly consequences.
From the stolid face of this nine-year old Korean child is reflected the infinite pain and unending hardship that is war in Korea today. Carrying her small brother, all that remains of a now dead family, she trudges past a stalled Patton tank on the outskirts of Haengju, North of Seoul.UN Photo
In adopting Resolution 2087 in January after the December launch, the UN Security Council pledged to take "significant action" in the event of a nuclear test.
US is also strengthening its close coordination with its Six-Party partners and regional allies.
And through a whole-of-government approach, working closely with its partners in the Department of Defense and other agencies, US will take the steps necessary to defend itself and its allies, particularly the ROK and Japan.
In addition, reassured both Seoul and Tokyo, at the highest levels, of our commitment to extended deterrence through the U.S. nuclear umbrella, conventional capabilities, and missile defense.
US indicates North Korea's WMD, ballistic missile, conventional arms, and proliferation activities constitute a serious and unacceptable threat to U.S. national security, to say nothing of the integrity of the global nonproliferation regime, which many around the world have labored over generations to devise, nurture, and enforce.
US asserts effective, targeted multilateral and national sanctions will consequently remain a vital component of its efforts to impede the DPRK's efforts to advance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and proliferation activities.
Combined with the measures in resolutions 1718 and 1874, UNSCR 2087 further constricts North Korea's efforts to procure weapons components, send agents abroad, smuggle dual-use items, and make headway on its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, Mr. Davies noted.
The US is actively engaged with the international community to underscore the importance of full enforcement of these measures.
US on Denuclearizing North Korea
United States remains committed to a denuclearized North Korea that respects the rights of its citizens.
In June 2009, the United Nations unanimously adopted resolution 1874, imposing stricter sanctions on the recalcitrant regime.
The new resolution has 34 points, the first of which "Condemns in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 25 May 2009 (local time) in violation and flagrant disregard of its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006), and the statement of its President of 13 April 2009 (S/PRST/2009/7)."
Since the adoption of Resolution 1874, countries have intercepted and seized tons of contraband cargo, including a massive arms shipment uncovered by Thailand in December. These interdictions show that countries are taking seriously their obligations to enforce these tough new measures. The United States will continue to press on sanctions implementation until there is concrete, verifiable progress on denuclearization.
Advancing human rights is a top U.S. priority in US North Korea policy as well and is among the primary factors that will determine if any long-term improvement between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be possible.
Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Read more stories by Mina Fabulous. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.
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