US blacklists Myanmar entities for ties with N. Korea

By Lee Chi-dong

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- In a new measure aimed at blocking illicit arms trade between North Korea and Myanmar, the Obama administration imposed sanctions Tuesday on a Myanmar military official and three Myanmar firms.

The Treasury said its action does not "generally target" the Myanmar government as it targets those linked to the Southeast Asian nation's Directorate of Defense Industries (DDI), "which has been involved in purchasing military equipment and related material from North Korea."

   "The revenues from these continuing military sales directly support North Korea's illicit activities," Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen said in a statement."We will continue to target this activity in Burma, and the region, as we work with our international partners to shut down North Korea's dangerous and destabilizing weapons proliferation."

Lt. Col. Kyaw Nyunt Oo and Myanmar firms Asia Metal Co., Soe Min Htike Co., and Excellence Mineral Manufacturing Co. had been involved in buying arms from North Korea despite strict international sanctions on the Pyongyang regime over its nuclear program, according to the Treasury.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/us-blacklists-myanmar-entities-for-ties-with-n-korea/