The U.S. has imposed sanctions on two North Korean companies for their involvement in arms transactions violating UN resolutions.
 
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the Chongchongang Shipping Company and the Ocean Maritime Management Company on Wednesday. It said the two firms attempted to conceal arms shipments from Cuba to the North aboard the North Korean-flagged vessel Chong Chon Gang in July of last year.
 
In a statement, Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen said the North uses companies like the two firms to engage in arms trading that violates U.S and international sanctions.
 
The new sanction freezes any assets, such as the two companies, may hold in the United States and prohibits them from dealing with U.S. firms and individuals.
 
The Chongchongang Shipping Company is the operator of the Chong Chon Gang, which was detained by Panamanian authorities last July after it tried to cross the Panama Canal loaded with arms, including undeclared missiles and two MiG-21 fighter jets from Cuba.