Einhorn: New US Sanctions on NK Coming

The U.S. State Department`s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control announced in Seoul Monday that new U.S. sanctions on North Korea are forthcoming.

Robert J. Einhorn said, "The United States will soon adopt and begin implementing new country-specific measures...that will target entities engaged in the export or procurement of conventional arms by or for North Korea, the procurement of luxury goods for North Korea, and other illicit activities, which are often conducted by or for North Korean officials."

Speaking in a news conference at the U.S. Embassy in central Seoul, he said the illegal activities include the counterfeiting of U.S. dollars and other products, drug smuggling, and illegal and cheating activities in international finance and banking systems.

Einhorn said Washington will officially announce blacklisted entities and individuals involved in illicit activities within several weeks.

In an earlier news briefing in the morning at the South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, Einhorn told reporters, “Iran and North Korea are different cases and they face different situations,” saying customized sanctions for each case will be imposed.

He said Washington will offer strong incentives to Pyongyang to ensure that the North Korean leadership implements its obligation for denuclearization to the international community and refrain from additional provocations.

spear@donga.com