The three companies are Chilsong Trading Corporation, which is subordinate to the government of North Korea, Korea Paekho Trading Corporation, subordinate to North Korea's Ministry of Defence, and Congo Aconde SARL based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Wednesday’s sanctions also targeted Hwang Kil Su and Pak Hwa Song, co-founders of the Congo Aconde SARL. 

According to the US Department of Treasury, these entities and individuals have generated funds for the North Korean government by conducting art and construction projects throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Under the sanction, all the assets and interests of these companies and individuals in the US will be frozen.