US announces new sanctions against North Korea

Seoul, Jul 21: Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State announced new sanctions against North Korea on Wednesday, Jul 21.

The new sanctions are aimed to target the North's arms sales and purchases as well as the import of luxury goods. The new move also seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by North Korea.

Hillary Clinton who is on a visit to South Korea said that the sanctions would help the United States to prevent the illicit activities and other provocative actions of North Korea. She added that the sanctions were not aimed against the citizens of North Korea but against the Salinist regime's 'misguided and malign priorities'.

Clinton and the Defence Secretary Robert Gates discussed with their South Korean counterparts about the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. US and South Korea urged the North to drop its nuclear weapons program and warned that the future provocations would have 'serious consequences'.

The joint statement from the leaders of both the nations urged Pyongyang to show 'genuine will for denuclearisation with concrete actions,' reported a South Korean news agency. They also called the North to acknowledge responsibility for the sinking of Cheonan, the South Korean warship, which claimed the lives of 46 South Korean sailors.

Gates said that they visit the Demilitarised Zone which separates North and South Korea to demonstrate their 'steadfast commitment'. After the meeting, the two nations also declared a series of additional military practices.

OneIndia News