Sept. 1 (UPI) — The United States, South Korea, and Japan have imposed punitive measures against North Korea’s illegal weapons development program following the regime’s failed launch of a spy satellite into orbit.
The ally nations independently announced the sanctions on Thursday, one day after Pyongyang conducted a ballistic missile launch that it claimed to be a tactical nuclear strike drill. This follows a failed attempt to launch a reconnaissance satellite into space just a week prior.
The sanctions, while independently imposed, were coordinated among the three nations, according to a statement from the U.S. Treasury. The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on two individuals, one North Korean and one Russian, as well as a Russian-based company accused of supporting Pyongyang’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is targeting three companies and four individuals, while South Korea is designating one company and five individuals, according to separate statements from both countries.
While Tokyo did not provide specific details about the targeted entities, Seoul stated that the Ryu Kyung Program Development Company and its officials are involved in the development of unmanned armed equipment and the transmission of information technology manpower for North Korea. These targets have not been subject to sanctions by any country before.
“Our government has made it clear that North Korea’s provocations will have consequences,” said South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. “We will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community, including the United States and Japan, in order to compel North Korea to cease its reckless provocations and engage in denuclearization talks.”
This latest announcement marks the 11th time the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has imposed sanctions on North Korea since October of last year, resulting in a total of 54 individuals and 51 institutions being designated.
These sanctions, which freeze the assets of the designated individuals and companies, come at a time when the trilateral relationship between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan has been growing stronger.
The relationship between South Korea and Japan, historically strained, has improved since March when Seoul announced plans to settle its forced labor dispute with Tokyo dating back to Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, Seoul and Tokyo revived a previously shelved military intelligence-sharing pact during the same month.
South Korea and the United States have also enhanced their military alliance over the past year.
In a recent summit held at Camp David, the leaders of these three countries agreed to share information on strategic matters and explore opportunities for further cooperation, among other topics.
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