The U.S. government has announced sanctions on nine North Korean, Chinese and Iranian companies for allegedly violating U.S. laws aimed at preventing the proliferation of missiles and other weapons technologies.

On the list are three North Korean firms - Korea Mining and Development Corporation, Mokong Trading Corporation and Sino-Ki.

The sanctions were signed by U.S. President Barack Obama January 21st, a day after his inauguration, and announced on Monday's Federal Register.

But considering there is little or no chance that the companies included in the sanctions would trade with the U.S., the sanctions are being regarded as a symbolic gesture of the new administration's determination against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.