U.S. sanctions North Korea again for the first time in eight days... Meeting of the chief representatives of the US and North Korea on nuclear weapons

<Anchor>

The United States imposed additional sanctions on five North Korean institutions amid concerns that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test following its test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

To discuss tensions on the Korean Peninsula, next week in the United States, South Korea and the United States will hold an emergency meeting of top North Korean nuclear representatives.

Correspondent Yunsu Kim from Washington.

<Reporter> The

U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Overseas Assets Control announced that it imposed additional sanctions on five organizations that supported North Korea's development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

These included the Rocket Industry Ministry under the Ministry of Armaments Industry, which oversees North Korea's military industry, and the Chosun Seungnisan Trading Company, which supported the development of weapons by earning foreign currency.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen said North Korea's test of a ballistic missile was "a clear threat to global security and a blatant violation of UN Security Council resolutions."

This is the first additional sanctions imposed on the 8th day following the 24th of last month, and it is analyzed that it has nothing to do with North Korea's recent moves to prepare for a nuclear test by resuming its nuclear test site construction activities and operating its Yongbyon nuclear facility again.

It is interpreted as sending a warning message that it will not tolerate further provocations by increasing the intensity of sanctions against North Korea.

In the midst of this, the UN Sanctions Committee on North Korea evaluated in its annual report that North Korea has steadily advanced its nuclear and missile-related technologies despite sanctions from the international community.

In particular, he said that he had stolen more than 480 billion won in virtual currency over the past year by hacking a cryptocurrency exchange to raise the necessary financial resources.

The top North Korean nuclear representatives from the United States and South Korea have agreed to hold an emergency meeting here in Washington next week to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which continues to escalate due to North Korea's successive military provocations.