The US has imposed new sanctions on Russian and North Korean entities and individuals for transferring sensitive items to Pyongyang’s missile program, the State Department said on Thursday.
The move came on the same day that North Korea launched its most powerful ICBM to date – the Hwasong-17 – on orders from Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.
The Hwasong-17, first unveiled in October 2020, is believed to be not only North Korea’s longest-range weapon, but also the world’s largest road-mobile ICBM capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
During its 67-minute flight on Thursday, the rocket reached a maximum altitude of 3,880 miles (about 6,244 kilometers) and traveled 680 miles (about 1,094 kilometers) before landing in waters between North Korea and Japan, according to the Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA), the official mouthpiece of Pyongyang.
The launch was Pyongyang’s first full ICBM test since 2017, drawing immediate reactions from neighbors South Korea and Japan.
Seoul reportedly responded by firing its own missiles from land, sea and air to demonstrate its “ability and readiness to respond and punish immediately.” On the other hand, Tokyo condemned the launch as “outrageous” and “unforgivable” and agreed to increase bilateral cooperation with Seoul to counter the threat.
Japanese media also reported that Hwasong-17 could reach the US east coast if launched on a normal trajectory.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki described the launch as a “blatant violation” of UN Security Council resolutions and urged Pyongyang to halt its actions.
“The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and the Republic of Korea and Japanese allies,” she added.
Meanwhile, the US State Department sanctioned the following companies and individuals: Ardis Group of Companies LLC (Russia), PFK Profpodshipnik LLC (Russia), Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin (Russia), the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences (North Korea), and Ri Sung Chol (North Korea).
“These actions are part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt the North Koreans [North Korea’s] ability to advance its missile program and underscore the negative role Russia plays on the world stage as a propagator of worrisome programs,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
In addition, the US sanctioned the Chinese company Zhengzhou Nanbei Instrument Equipment Co. Ltd. for the supply of equipment to Syria by the Australia Group, an informal group of countries that ensures non-export of materials used to develop chemical and biological weapons.
The story goes on
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