In October, Washington slapped sanctions on eight North Korean companies it said acted as fronts for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and said it suspects the country of counterfeiting and money-laundering, allegations that are strongly denied.

The nuclear talks -- launched in 2003 -- also involve China, South Korea, Japan and Russia. Their fifth and latest session in Beijing took a recess in November with no signs of progress on persuading the North to disarm. It says Washington had agreed at that time to hold "negotiations" on the sanctions. The U.S. denies making any such offer.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 10, 2005
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