Washington issues the first sanctions after the failure of Hanoi summit with Pyongyang

The US Treasury yesterday announced punitive measures against two Chinese companies. Updated report on illegal trade practices in North Korea. In 2018, North Korean ports received at least 263 deliveries of refined oil. The limit imposed by the UN was exceeded by 7.5 times.


Washington (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Washington has fined two Chinese shipping companies that helped North Korea to evade US and international sanctions on its nuclear program: it is the first US measure since the failure of the Hanoi summit between President Donald J. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The US Treasury Department yesterday announced punitive measures against Dalian Haibo International Freight Co. Ltd. and Liaoning Danxing International Forwarding Co. Ltd .. Washington also stated that it is updating its report on Pyongyang's illicit trade practices, appointing another 71 boats - in addition to the 24 already identified - suspected of having exported coal from North Korea or made ship-ship transfers of refined oil.

After the second Trump-Kim summit, Ri Yong-ho - Pyongyang's Foreign Minister - declared that his country had presented to the US "realistic" proposals, in exchange for "a partial lifting of the sanctions, which hinder the civil economy and the sustenance of our people ”.

The Treasury says that last year the North Korean ports received at least 263 deliveries of tankers containing refined oil. If these tankers had been full, Pyongyang would have imported 3.78 million barrels or more than 7.5 times the amount allowed by the limit imposed by the United Nations (500 thousand a year).

US officials report that Dalian Haibo provided goods and services in support of the Paeksol Trading Corp., a North Korean company previously sanctioned, as involved in the metal or coal trade and providing alternative revenue to the Pyongyang regime.