Japan, South Korea and the United States have imposed sanctions on North Korean officials connected to the country’s illicit weapons programs, with Washington saying Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles pose risks to the region and the entire world.
The US Treasury Department named the individuals as Jon Il Ho, Yu Jin, and Kim Su Gil, all of whom the European Union designated for sanctions in April.
The sanctioned officials, Jon Il Ho and Yu Jin, have played crucial roles in the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) while serving as vice director and director of North Korea’s Munitions Industry Department. The US Treasury Department further threatened sanctions against anyone who conducts transactions with Jon Il-ho, Yu-jin and Kim Su-gil.
The latest sanctions follow a November 18 intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea, part of a record-breaking spate of more than 60 missile launches this year and amid concerns the country may be about to resume nuclear weapons testing, which has been suspended since 2017.
North Korea has faced tough sanctions imposed by Western countries for years. Under these new sanctions, all US-based assets of the North Korean officials will be frozen. They will be barred from any transactions with any business or individual in the US.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, noted that the tests threatened global security and that the latest punitive measures “underscore our sustained resolve to promote accountability in response to Pyongyang’s pace, scale and scope of ballistic missile launches”.
The Treasury indicated the missile tests “demonstrate the need for all countries to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions”, which are intended to prevent North Korea from acquiring the technologies, materials and revenue it needs to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
Pyongyang conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017, and has reportedly completed preparations for a seventh test. Experts believe it may use the opportunity to test a compact nuclear device. They also say North Korea is working to improve its short-range missiles and conventional military capabilities.
The country has become more assertive under Kim Jong-un who has overseen much of the recent development of its weapons programs, and four of the six nuclear tests so far.
However, some American analysts say sanctions like these are symbolic and have not changed Pyongyang’s behavior.
“We (US) can sanction North Korea all we want. But to have a real impact, we should also suspend US dollar correspondent bank access of those mainland Chinese institutions handling the Kim regime cash,” said Sean King, a consultant at Park Strategies.
What Missiles Has North Korea Been Testing?
North Korea has significantly increased the number of missile tests it has conducted this year, firing one with a range long enough to hit the US.
North Korea has been testing a variety of ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles. Hypersonic missiles fly at several times the speed of sound and at low altitude, to escape radar detection.
The most recent ballistic missile tested was fired higher into space and on a shorter trajectory than usual. However, on a different trajectory it could have reached the US mainland, the Japanese government stated.
Images from North Korean state media showing Kim Jong-un with his daughter at the launch appear to confirm it was the Hwasong-17 missile – or possibly a modified version of it.
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