Japan imposes additional sanctions against N. Korea

TOKYO, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- Japan decided on Friday to expand its unilateral sanctions on North Korea to intensify pressure on Pyongyang in response to Pyongyang's repeated nuclear and missile tests, the government announced.
Under the new measures, approved by the Cabinet, Japan will freeze the assets of 19 more organizations based in North Korea, including banks, trading firms and shippimg companies.
According to the Foreign Ministry, with the additional plan, Japan now designates a total of 103 entities and 108 individuals in its North Korea-linked sanction list.
"North Korea launched an an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed in our exclusive economic zone and continues to repeat provocative commentaries," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference.
"We have decided to take measures freezing assets to further increase pressure on North Korea to seek a resolution to both the abductions of Japanese nationals (in the 1970s and 1980s) and nuclear and missile issues," the top government spokesman said.
Pyongyang fired the ICBM on November 29, which has fallen into waters some 250 km west of Japan, according to the Japanese government. (end) mk.mt