Government targets illicit N. Korean cargo shipments with new sanctions

The government has imposed new sanctions on one vessel, two foreign companies, and two Chinese nationals for violating UN Security Council resolutions.

The "stateless ship" Sunrise 1, run by Hong Kong's Xiangrui Shipping, was caught in South Korean waters last June after loading some 5-thousand tons of North Korean iron ore, strictly banned under UN Resolution 2371.

Russia's CONSUL DV owned the cargo, while two Chinese men operated the ship.

Seoul says the move reaffirms its commitment to curbing Pyongyang's weapons development by cutting off illegal supply routes at sea.