S. Korea Imposes Sanctions Linked to North’s Weapon Development

South Korea has imposed sanctions on two individuals, three entities, and eleven vessels linked to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

The announcement was made by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the ministry, those newly added to the blacklist were primarily involved in the illegal smuggling of energy by sea.

This move comes days after North Korea launched a new medium-range missile that exceeded the speed of sound and used solid fuel, a development strongly condemned by South Korea and the United States as a "serious violation" of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Facing a deadlock at the United Nations, Seoul has resorted to imposing sanctions on Pyongyang independently or in collaboration with Washington and Tokyo to pressure the sources of North Korea's funding.

On another note, the South Korean military announced on Wednesday that it conducted joint naval exercises with Japan and the United States, including the participation of a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Furthermore, talks involving relevant parties on the nuclear issue, including Japan, the United States, and South Korea, are scheduled to take place in Seoul on Thursday.