The United States has imposed sanctions on North Korea’s weapons programme as the Asian country launched a series of missile tests, were reported by North Korean state media to be hypersonic.
The sanctions are the first since US President Joe Biden took over as the chief executive of the country. The curbs are aimed at six North Koreans, one Russian citizen and a Russian firm.
Washington said the individuals procured materials for the weapons programme from China and Russia.
Moreover, the US Treasury said the curbs were intended to prevent North Korean weapons programme and hinder its efforts to increase weapons technology.
The US has also proposed to blacklist five of the sanctioned individuals by the United Nations Security Council. Such a move will require a consensus settlement from the UNSC’s 15-member North Korea Sanctions Committee.
The Biden administration has unsuccessfully attempted to initiate talks with Pyongyang to convince it to abandon its nuclear weapons since taking office.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the country is committed to diplomacy with North Korea.
The Treasury Department added that the sanctions come after North Korea launched six missiles. It said that each missile violated UNSC resolutions.
According to North Korean state media, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un witnessed the test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday. The test is the second in less than a week, following his vow in a New Year speech to upgrade the military with innovative technology.
