Trump Announces Executive Order Authorizing Additional North Korea Sanctions

U.S. President Donald J. Trump said on Thursday that he authorized additional sanctions on individuals and companies that financially support the government of North Korea.

Trump said the executive order “significantly expands our authorities to target individuals, companies, and financial institutions that finance and facilitate trade with North Korea.”

He added that Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs present a threat to the world, and it was “unacceptable that others financially support this criminal and rogue regime,” referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley are expected to address reporters later on Thursday.

Mr. Trump is also expected to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.

In his address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Trump threatened to “totally destroy North Korea,” if Washington is forced to defend itself or its allies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in August that Moscow believed additional sanctions against Pyongyang could prove “counterproductive and dangerous.”

“They would rather eat grass but will not give up the [nuclear] program if they do not feel safe,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month.