Tokyo, Dec 15 (AFP) Japan said today it had added 19 moreentities to its list of organisations and individuals targetedby asset-freeze sanctions on North Korea.
The sanctions list now comprises 103 entities and 108individuals in total, including seven Chinese entities, fiveChinese individuals, one Singaporean entity and two Namibianentities, it said.
They include organisations involved in financialservices, coal and minerals trading, transportation andsending North Korean labourers abroad, the foreign ministrysaid in a statement.
Japan has already imposed strict sanctions on NorthKorea, including a blanket ban on trade and port calls.
Top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said: "NorthKorea launched an ICBM ballistic missile that landed in ourexclusive economic zone and continues to repeat provocativecommentaries.
"In light of this, as we host a ministerial meeting ofthe UN Security Council on December 15, we have decided on theasset freeze in order to further increase pressure" on thereclusive state. (AFP)KIS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.