U.S. imposes sanctions on 30 foreign entities, individuals, including N.K. trading firm

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The United States imposed sanctions on 30 entities and individuals, including a North Korean trading firm, for transferring to or acquiring sensitive or banned items from Iran, North Korea and Syria that could be used for missile or other weapons of mass destruction programs.

North Korea's Saeng Pil Trading Corporation and 10 others were sanctioned for transferring sensitive items to Iran's ballistic missile program under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA), the State Department said in a statement.

Nine others were Chinese companies or individuals and one was a United Arab Emirates firm.

"Iran's proliferation of missile technology significantly contributes to regional tensions. As an example, we have seen indications Iran is providing missile support to the Houthis in Yemen," the department said. "The imposition of sanctions against these eleven foreign entities is a continuation of our commitment to hold Iran accountable for its actions."

An additional 19 entities and individuals were sanctioned for transferring to, or acquiring from, Iran, North Korea, or Syria goods, services, or technology listed on multilateral export control lists or on U.S. national control lists, or other items that could make a material contribution to the development of weapons of mass destruction or missile proliferation, the department said.

It did not provide a list of those sanctioned.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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