Japan to impose more North Korea sanctions

TOKYO, Sep 19: Japan's cabinet has approved additional financial sanctions against North Korea, to put further pressure on Pyongyang to return to six-party talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear programme.

The steps will effectively freeze remittances and the transfer of financial assets to North Korea by those suspected of links to its weapons of mass destruction or missile programmes, media said.

The clampdown is in line with a United Nations resolution passed after North Korea defied international warnings and test-fired seven missiles into the sea in July, top government spokesman Shinzo Abe said today.

''This shows the resolve of the international community and Japan,'' Abe told a news conference.

The sanctions affect 15 groups and one individual, Abe said, adding that details of the steps would be announced later.

Kyodo news agency said those targetted by the sanctions would need to obtain government permission to remit or withdraw money from Japanese bank accounts, practically freezing their remittances to the North.

North Korea agreed a year ago to dismantle its nuclear programme in return for aid, security assurances and improved diplomatic ties, but it has refused to return to six-party talks on its missile and nuclear programmes since late last year.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted South Korea's ambassador to the United States as saying that officials from Japan, South Korea and the United States would meet as early as next week to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue.

In response to the missile tests, Japan banned from its ports for six months a North Korean ferry that provides the only direct passenger link between the two countries, and barred the entry of government officials from the reclusive communist state.

REUTERS