The action also prohibits all transactions between US citizens and the entities, according to a statement from the Treasury Department.

The move came as the United States prepared for another round of multilateral talks in Beijing aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.

"Proliferators of WMD often rely on front companies to mask their illicit activities and cover their tracks," said Stuart Levey, the Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

"Today's action turns a spotlight on eight firms involved in WMD proliferation out of North Korea.We will continue to expose and designate these dangerous actors," he said.

Among those blacklisted were Hesong Trading Corporation and Tosong Technology Trading Corporation, whose parent comany isKorea Mining Development Corporation.

The remaining six Pyongyang-based companies belong to parent company Korea Ryonbong General Corporation.

They include Korea Complex Equipment Import Corporation, Korea International Chemical Joint Venture Company, Korea Kwangsong Trading Corporation, Korea Pugang Trading Corporation, Korea Ryongwang Trading Corporation, and Korea Ryonha Machinery Joint Venture Corporation.

President George W. Bush has introduced rules imposing strong financial sanctions against not only weapons of mass destruction but also entities and individuals providing support or services to proliferators.

The Treasury Department said the move Friday was part of ongoing government interagency efforts to combat unconventional weapons trafficking "by blocking the property of entities and individuals that engage in proliferation activities and their support networks."

At six-party talks last month, North Korea pledged to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for promises of aid and security, the first major breakthrough after more than two years of deadlock over Pyongyang's atomic ambitions.

In return, the United States said it would respect the North's sovereignty and would not attack, a fear Pyongyang had repeatedly said was a main reason for insisting on developing an atomic bomb program.

But after the agreement was announced, North Korea, which is badly short of electricity, immediately said it would insist on having light-water nuclear reactors for civilian energy purposes before giving up its weapons.

Four rounds of the nuclear crisis talks have been held since August 2003 among the United States, the two Koreas, China, Japan and Russia.

The fifth round is expected in early November.

All rights reserved. � 2005 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

Related Links
SpaceWar
Search SpaceWar
Subscribe To SpaceWar Express

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only