Trump Signs Order to Intensify Sanctions on North Korea

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced on Thursday, September 21, that he has signed an order allowing the United States to broaden sanctions against North Korean trading entities. According to Reuters, Mr. Trump stated to reporters on the eve of his meeting with leaders of Japan and South Korea on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, "Our new executive order will cut off North Korea's revenue that is used to produce the deadliest weapons in history." The President of the United States indicated that North Korea's textile, fishing, communications technology, and manufacturing industries will be targeted by the new sanctions. He added, "For a long time, North Korea has been allowed to exploit the international financial system to invest in its nuclear and missile programs." Mr. Trump further stated that his new order gives the U.S. Treasury Department the authority to punish those engaging in trade and technology exchanges with North Korea. Tensions over North Korea's nuclear program and missile tests have escalated in recent weeks. Despite the pressure from global powers, North Korea continues its missile and nuclear programs. The latest pressure came from sanctions unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council on September 11 in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test, bringing the total number of sanctions against Pyongyang to nine since 2006. Meanwhile, Donald Trump stated that in his Thursday meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, he would address trade issues between the two countries and threats from North Korea. Mr. Trump told reporters, "I think we have made a lot of progress in many ways." In a speech he delivered on Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly, Donald Trump threatened that if Pyongyang does not cease its nuclear activities, "we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea." In this context, the United States has called for "direct action" from Russia and China against North Korea. The UN Secretary-General condemned North Korea's missile test. The North Korean leader stated: "Our ultimate goal is to achieve a balance of power with the United States." Kuwait expelled the North Korean ambassador.