The President of the United States, Donald Trump has named North Korea on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The President announced the decision on Monday during a public meeting with his cabinet members at the White House. He also disclosed that the Treasury Department was working out modalities to announce new sanctions against North Korea on Tuesday.
Trump said the decision to put North Korea back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism was long overdue as it should have happened long time ago. According to him "Today the United States is designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. Should have happened a long time ago. Should have happened years ago."
In the United States, the Secretary of State, has the authority to designate governments as state sponsors of terrorism and to make this designation, the Secretary of State must determine that the government of such country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
Once a country is so designated, unilateral US sanctions apply to the country in the following areas: A ban on arms-related exports and sales; Controls over exports of dual-use items, requiring 30-day Congressional notification for goods or services that could significantly enhance the terrorist-list country’s military capability or ability to support terrorism; Prohibitions on economic assistance; and Imposition of miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
Only three countries are currently designated state sponsors: Iran, Syria and Sudan. Cuba, Libya, Iraq and North Korea and the former South Yemen were previously designated but were removed in recent years. North Korea was removed from the list by President George W. Bush in 2008.
Meanwhile, South Korea said its military is "maintaining a firm readiness posture" for reaction from North Korea following the move.
