Politics
08:10, 24-Feb-2018
Trump announces 'heaviest ever' sanctions on DPRK
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US President Donald Trump rolled out sanctions against Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-linked shipping assets Friday, hailing the package as the "heaviest sanctions ever" levied on Pyongyang.
Trump used a speech to conservatives just outside Washington to step up his campaign of "maximum pressure" designed to force the DPRK to roll back its weapons programs.
"We imposed today the heaviest sanctions ever imposed on a country before," Trump claimed at the end of a lengthy campaign-style address.
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In light of past US embargoes, that is likely an overstatement, but Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed the sanctions covered "virtually all the ships" the DPRK is "using at this moment in time."
Trump had been expected to provide details of measures that target "56 vessels, shipping companies, and trade businesses," but skipped that part of his prepared remarks.
"Frankly hopefully something positive can happen," he said instead.
During a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump said that sanctions were only the first action.
"If the sanctions don't work, we'll have to go to phase two. Phase two may be a very rough thing," he said, without elaborating.
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a joint press conference in the White House in Washington, DC, Feb. 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a joint press conference in the White House in Washington, DC, Feb. 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
Trump's administration is locked in a nuclear standoff with the DPRK, which is trying to develop missiles that could deliver an atomic weapon to major US cities. The latest sanctions are designed to put the squeeze on the DPRK's already precarious economy and fuel supply.
Mnuchin said there were signs that the punitive measures were starting to have an impact, but did not elaborate.
The DPRK's military and broader economy depends heavily on imports of coal and oil.
Reaffirming ties with Seoul
The timing of the new measures coincides with the arrival in Republic of Korea (ROK) of Trump's daughter Ivanka. She is attending the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics, which have taken place against the backdrop of the crisis.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (L) talks with Ivanka Trump during their dinner meeting at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, Feb. 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (L) talks with Ivanka Trump during their dinner meeting at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, Feb. 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
The 36-year-old businesswoman and now top aide to her father has been tasked with reaffirming US ties with the ROK, which have been strained over how to deal with Pyongyang.
She was hosted in Seoul by President Moon Jae-in, who has long advocated talks rather than confrontation with the DPRK.
"Mrs. Trump delivered a personal message to President Moon from President Trump about today's North Korea (DPRK) related sanctions announcement at a small meeting at the Blue House," the White House said. "They also discussed the continued effort on the joint maximum pressure campaign against North Korea (DPRK)."
ROK officials, who sit in a capital well within range of conventional DPRK artillery, have been spooked by Trump's easy talk of military confrontation. US officials worry meanwhile that Pyongyang is luring Moon into talks that are designed to go nowhere.
Ivanka Trump is not expected to meet DPRK officials on her trip.
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Source(s): AFP