The US imposes new sanctions linked to North Korea after a spate of missile tests
CNN —
The US is imposing new sanctions after a series of North Korean missile tests, the US Treasury and State Departments said on Friday.
The sanctions target two individuals and three entities “connected to the supply of refined petroleum to the DPRK, an action that directly supports the development of the weapons programs of the DPRK and its military,” Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said in a statement on Friday.
The sanctions include two Singapore-registered companies and a Marshall Islands-registered entity for “illegal ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent UN sanctions,” according to the Treasury Department.
“By designating these entities and individuals, the United States is sending a clear message that we will continue to take action against those who support the development and maintenance of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal,” Blinken said in a statement.
North Korea has launched six missiles in the past two weeks — an increase even in a year that has seen the busiest launches since Kim Jong Un took power in 2011.
Aggressive acceleration of weapons testing has raised alarms in the region, and the US, South Korea and Japan have responded with missile launches and joint military exercises this week. The US has also moved an aircraft carrier in waters near the peninsula, a move South Korean authorities described as “very unusual”.
On Wednesday, Blinken warned that if North Korea continues “down this path” of provocation, “it will only increase condemnation, increase isolation and increase steps taken in response to their actions.”
Recent testing has caused government officials to become increasingly concerned that Kim will oversee his country’s seventh nuclear test.
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