U.S.-based vessels can’t fly N. Korean flag

This is a real no-brainer.

The Bush administration quietly imposed additional economic sanctions on North Korea earlier this month by barring U.S. companies from flying North Korea’s flag on freighters, tankers and fishing vessels, some of which are linked to illegal smuggling. The sanctions took effect May 8 and were announced by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls. They prohibit U.S. companies or foreign companies based in the United States from owning, leasing, operating or insuring any ships that fly North Korea’s flag.

The Chief is frankly surprised that this needs to be spelled out. Who in their right mind would flag US owned ships in North Korea?

Oh, yeah. Those guys who think that the ONLY worthy goal of their existance is the accumulation of every possible dime:

The sanctions were imposed in response to government reports that shipping companies were buying North Korean flag registry to evade other nations’ strict regulations and vessel-inspection rules.

“North Korea is aggressively selling its flag as a flag of convenience,” said one administration official, who noted that the number of ships using North Korean registry is growing. “One would think that in light of North Korea’s illegal activities, U.S. companies would not want to be registered in North Korea.”

A normally sane American citizen MIGHT think that, but unfortunately needs to be reminded of these bottom feeders, and others of their ilk like those who peddled off advanced missile technology to the ChiComs.

Traitorous businessmen. Ropes. Trees. Some assembly required.