US sanctions two North Korean officials over missile program

United States announced sanctions on two North Korean officials for their roles in developing the country's ballistic missiles. It is the latest step in a campaign to press Pyongyang to give up its nuclear and missile programs. US Treasury named the officials as Kim Jong Sik and Ri Pyong Chol. 

It said Kim was reportedly a key figure in North Korea's efforts to switch its missile program from liquid to solid fuel, while Ri was reported to be a key official involved in the country's intercontinental ballistic missile



development.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that the Treasury is targeting leaders of North Korea's ballistic missile programs, as part of its maximum pressure campaign to isolate North Korea and achieve a fully denuclearized Korean Peninsula. 

The statement said these actions follow Friday's United Nations Security Council Resolution, which imposed strong new sanctions on North Korea further shutting down its ability to raise illicit funds.