This picture taken on March 24, 2022 and released from North Korea鈥檚 official Korean Central 黑料社 Agency (KCNA) on March 25, 2022 shows the test launch of a new type inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasongpho-17 of North Korea鈥檚 strategic forces in an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
WASHINGTON 鈥撀� The United States announced new sanctions Thursday on entities and people in Russia and North Korea after Pyongyang鈥檚 new ICBM missile test.
The targeted persons and organizations are accused of 鈥渢ransferring sensitive items to North Korea鈥檚 missile program,鈥� the State Department said in a statement.
鈥淭hese measures are part of our ongoing efforts to impede the DPRK鈥檚 ability to advance its missile program and they highlight the negative role Russia plays on the world stage as a proliferator to programs of concern,鈥� the statement said, using the official acronym for North Korea.
Thursday鈥檚 launch was the first time Pyongyang has fired the country鈥檚 most powerful missiles at full range since 2017, and it appears to have travelled higher and further than any previous intercontinental ballistic missile tested by the nuclear-armed nation.
North Korea鈥檚 leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the test-firing of the country鈥檚 鈥渘ew type鈥� of ICBM to boost its nuclear deterrent against the US 鈥渋mperialists,鈥� state media reported early Friday.
The State Department said Washington in response has sanctioned the Russian entities called Ardis Group, PFK Profpodshipnik, and a Russian man named Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin.
It also sanctioned North Korean citizen Ri Sung Chol and a North Korean entity called Second Academy of Natural Science Foreign Affairs Bureau.
The statement did not give details of the specific allegations against these people and entities.
Last week the US Treasury announced sanctions against two Russian individuals and three entities over their support for North Korea鈥檚 weapons program.