The United States Denies Sanctions Against Three Senior North Korean Officials After The Launch Of The ICBM

The test launch of the North Korean Hwasong-17 ICBM. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on three senior North Korean officials linked to the country's weapons program, following Pyongyang's latest and largest intercontinental ballistic missile test last month.

The US Treasury Department calls these individuals Jon Il-ho, Yu Jin, and Kim Su-gil. All three were also sanctioned by the European Union in April.

The latest sanctions follow North Korea's November 18 ICBM test launch, part of a record-breaking streak of more than 60 missile launches this year, and amid fears North Korea may continue testing the suspended nuclear bombs since 2017.

A statement from the Treasury Department said Jon Il-ho and Yu Jin played a major role in the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), while each served as deputy director and director, North Korea's Department of Munition Industry.

Meanwhile, Kim Su-gil served as director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army from 2018 to 2021 and oversees the implementation of decisions related to the WMD program.

"The Ministry of Finance is taking action in close trilateral coordination with the Republic of Korea and Japan against officials who have played a major role in DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs," Deputy Finance Minister for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in the statement, using North Korea's official initials.

"Launching recently demonstrates the need for all countries to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions, which are meant to prevent DPRK from acquiring the technology, materials and income Pyongyang needs, to develop its banned WMD and ballistic missile capabilities," the statement said.

Sanctions freeze US-based individual assets and ban dealing with them, but most seem symbolic.

The US-led sanctions for decades have failed to stop North Korea's increasingly sophisticated missile and nuclear weapons programs.

Meanwhile, China and Russia have blocked recent attempts to impose more UN sanctions, saying they should be relaxed to start talks and avoid humanitarian harm.

"Targeting senior officials within North Korea in charge of WMDs and missile activities and cooperating with South Korea and Japan is important, but it is an inadequate and symbolic response to the 60+ missile test, including 8 ICBM tests," said Anthony Ruggiero, who is leading North Korea's sanctions efforts under former President Donald Trump.

"The Biden administration must sanction Pyongyang's income and force Kim Jong-un to make difficult decisions about his strategic priorities," he explained.

Earlier, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington was committed to using pressure and diplomacy to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal.

He said the government had no illusions about the challenge, but remained committed to holding Pyongyang accountable.

Separately, a spokesman at the White House National Security Council said sanctions had succeeded in slowing the development of weapons programs and Pyongyang had turned to an increasingly desperate way to generate revenue such as virtual currency theft and other cybercrimes to fund its weapons program. "

"The DPRK's decision to continue to ignore our affordability is not for their best interests, nor for the interests of the people of the DPRK."