US Treasury Sanctions N. Korean Bank

The United States has blacklisted another North Korean financial institution for its affiliations with North Korean firms and banks already sanctioned under U.N. resolutions.

The Department of Treasury said in a statement that it has "designated the Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. (KKBC) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382 for providing financial services in support of both Tanchon Commercial Bank (Tanchon) and Korea Hyoksin Trading Corporation (Hyoksin), a subordinate of the Korea Ryonbong General Corporation (Ryonbong)."

Hyoksin is one of five North Korean firms blacklisted by the U.N. Security Council in June under Resolution 1874, adopted after North Korea's second nuclear test on May 25.

Ryonbong was among three North Korean firms targeted by the Security Council in 2006 under Resolution 1718, adopted after the North's first nuclear test in 2006.

The listing comes amid growing optimism for a breakthrough in the stalled negotiations over North Korea's nuclear weapons program after the landmark visit to Pyongyang by former U.S. President Bill Clinton last week to win the release of two American journalists held there for four months for illegally entering the North.

Clinton met with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il for more than three hours, during which Kim expressed his willingness to have bilateral talks and improve ties with the U.S., according to U.S. officials who debriefed the former president.