U.S. supports Macao in unblocking frozen DPRK accounts

The United States supports the Macao authorities in unblocking all DPRK-related accounts currently frozen in the Macau bank Banco Delta Asia, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement on Tuesday.

Based on previous discussions with officials from China, China's Macao and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as understandings reached with the DPRK on the use of these funds, the United States would support a decision by the Macao authorities to unblock the accounts in question, the statement said.

"Throughout the process we have appreciated the consistent help, goodwill and professionalism shown by the Macao authorities and look forward to the continued cooperation between the United States and Macao," the statement said.

The statement was made after Macao authorities expressed a willingness to unblock all DPRK-related accounts currently frozen in Banco Delta Asia.

The DPRK funds were frozen after the United States blacklisted the Macao bank for allegedly helping Pyongyang launder money. However, the bank has denied any wrongdoing.

The dispute over the frozen funds has put a gloomy prospect over whether the DPRK can meet a deadline to begin shutting down its nuclear program as stipulated in the Feb. 13 nuclear agreement.

Source: Xinhua