WASHINGTON Ñ The United States has imposed sanctions on North Korea
after the administration determined that Pyongyang had exported Scud-class missile components to
Yemen. The shipment of the components was completed during the term of
former President Bill Clinton.
Yemen was approached by the United States and acknowledged the Scud
purchase, officials said. They said Sanaa pledged not to purchase additional
missiles from North Korea.
U.S. officials said the Bush administration has imposed sanctions
against the state-owned Changgwang Sinyong Corp and the North Korean
government. Changgwang Sinyong is the marketing arm for North Korea's
missile production facilities, according to Middle East Newsline.
Officials said Pyongyang exported components for unspecified
medium-range missiles. They said the sanctions would last for two years.
The Federal Register contained an Aug. 23 notice by the State
Department that said the sanctions would be imposed on the North Korean
company and the government for "all activities of the North Korean
government relating to the development or production of missile equipment or
technology and all activities of the North Korean government affecting the
development or production of electronics, space systems or equipment, and
military aircraft."
The Federal Register identified Changgwang Sinyong as engaging in
"missile technology proliferation activities that require the imposition of
sanctions."
On Saturday, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed that Sanaa
acquired Scud missiles from North Korea. Saleh said the United States did
not impose a military ban on Yemen.
"We have bought those missiles and this is a legitimate right of Yemen,"
Saleh said.
U.S. officials said North Korea was also believed to have shipped
missile components to several Middle East states
over the last two years. They included such countries as Egypt, Iran, Libya
and Syria.
Changgwang Sinyong has been under sanction in the past and will not be
allowed to deal with the U.S. government or American companies. In all, they said, one shipment was reported.
The administration decision comes amid criticism that the United States
has done little to stop North Korean missile exports to Iran, Pakistan and
Middle East countries. The United States has expressed the need to discuss a
range of issues with Pyongyang, including its deployment on the Korean
Peninsula.