Washington: In response to Pyongyang's recent missile tests, the United States, Japan and South Korea have imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities in North Korea.

With its announcement on Thursday, Washington took the symbolic step of freezing the assets of three North Korean officials in the country. The isolated nation has resisted international pressure on its nuclear and missile programs.

Additionally, the US Treasury Department threatened sanctions against anyone doing business with Jon Il Ho, Yoo Jin, or Kim Su Gil, who were identified as having a direct hand in the development of the weapons.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that North Korea's recent missile launches, including the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile with the capability to strike the US mainland, "are of great concern to the region and the world." pose a serious security risk."

In response to the speed, scale and scope of Pyongyang's ballistic missile launches, the sanctions "underscore our continued resolve to promote accountability."

Blinken said the decision was made in consultation with US allies South Korea and Japan and noted that the European Union had earlier in April similarly designated all three.

New sanctions were also announced on Friday by Seoul and Tokyo.
South Korea announced that it would target eight people, including two from Singapore and one from Taiwan.

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The South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement that they "contributed to North Korea's nuclear and missile development and evasion of (pre-existing) sanctions."

The ministry said the new South Korean sanctions are expected to "alert the domestic and international community of the risks of transactions with these entities", adding that all are already subject to US sanctions.

Japan also announced that it had frozen the assets of three North Korean organizations – Korea Hegeumgang Trading Corporation, Korea Namgang Trading Corporation, and Lazarus Group – as well as the assets of an individual, Kim Su Il, in retaliation for Pyongyang's "provocative acts". have make.

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North Korea's closest allies, China and Russia, have blocked efforts at the UN Security Council for tougher sanctions, angering the United States.