United States imposes largest ever sanctions on North Korea

The United States has imposed fresh set of sanctions on North Korea, the largest ever. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at a White House news conference that the sanctions target 56 entities - 27 shipping and trade companies, 28 vessels, and one individual, adding that all of them were involved in sanctions evasion schemes. Mr Mnuchin said, the action targets the deceptive shipping practices that have enabled Pyongyang to fund its dangerous weapons



programmes.

Speaking at a news conference, President Donald Trump warned of serious consequences if the latest round of sanctions did not generate results. 

North Korea is already under a range of international and US sanctions over its nuclear programme and missile tests. It, however, continued with the tests last year, including that of a nuclear weapon and a long-range ballistic missile capable of reaching the US.