US targets North Korean officials over missile program

WASHINGTON, United States — The United States on Thursday slapped sanctions on three North Korean officials over Pyongyang's slew of missile tests, vowing that they would not go unpunished.

The action blocks any assets of the trio in the United States, a largely symbolic step against one of the world's most isolated countries which has defied international pressure on its weapons programs.

The Treasury Department also threatened sanctions against anyone who conducts transactions with the three officials, Jon Il Ho, Yu Jin and Kim Su Gil, who were identified as directly involved in weapons development.

The launches, including the firing on November 18 of an intercontinental ballistic missile with the range to hit the US mainland, "pose grave security risks to the region and entire world," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The sanctions "underscore our sustained resolve to promote accountability in response to Pyongyang's pace, scale and scope of ballistic missile launches," Blinken said.

Blinken said that the action was taken in coordination with US allies South Korea and Japan and noted that the European Union issued similar designations of the three in April. 

But the United States has voiced frustration that China, the closest ally of Pyongyang, and Russia have blocked efforts at the UN Security Council to impose tougher sanctions.