US sanctions three North Korean officials over ballistic missile tests

NEW YORK – The United States imposed sanctions yesterday on three North Korean officials in response to Pyongyang’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test and its weapons of mass destruction programs.

The Treasury Department designated Jon Il-ho, the chair of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), and Yu Jin and Kim Su-gil, members of the WPK central committee, for their major roles in North Korea’s development of weapons of mass destruction,” it said.

North Korea’s latest ICBM launch in November was reportedly the first successful test of its largest and most powerful missile, which can reach all of North America.

“These actions follow North Korea’s unprecedented launch of over 60 ballistic missiles this year, including the test of several intercontinental ballistic missiles.

These destabilising actions pose grave security risks to the region and the entire world,” the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken said that all three targets have direct connections to North Korea’s unlawful ballistic missile programme.

The European Union also imposed sanctions on the three officials earlier this year. – Bernama, December 2, 2022