Japan vows to tighten sanctions on DPRK

Japan announced on Friday to tighten its unilateral sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), following United Nations Security Council's adoption of a tougher-than-ever resolution against the DPRK on Wednesday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a meeting attended by cabinet ministers that the DPRK carried out two nuclear tests this year and launched more than 20 ballistic missiles.

It presents "a new level of threat and such outrageous acts are absolutely unacceptable," said Abe.

According to the revised sanctions, Japan will expand the scope of asset freeze program for individuals and groups related to Pyongyang's nuclear or missile projects.

The new sanctions also prohibit Japan-registered ships which have stopped at ports in the DPRK from entering Japan.

In addition, the fresh sanctions expand the targets of a re-entry ban for a list of people including officials of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan and foreign nationals with expertise in nuclear and missile technology living in Japan.

Under the new sanctions, exporting new helicopters or vessels to the DPRK or importing certain commodities from the DPRK including copper, nickel and zinc are also banned.

In February, Japan imposed unilateral sanctions against the DPRK after a long-range ballistic missile was believed to be launched by the DPRK.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution to tighten sanctions on the DPRK in response to the country's fifth nuclear test in September. Endit