US sanctions more Russian, Chinese companies for supporting North Korea

The US Treasury Department's announcement posted on its official website stated that the two companies included in the sanctions are Volasys Silver Star, headquartered in Russia, and Yanbian Silverstar, a technology network company based in China. In addition, according to the US Treasury Department, a North Korean citizen named Song Hwa Jong was also sanctioned.

Previously, on August 15, the US also imposed sanctions on a Russian port service agency and Chinese companies for helping North Korean ships, as well as selling cigarettes and alcohol to North Korea.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has warned that US sanctions could harm the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, saying the US "does not realize" how dangerous it is to apply maximum pressure on North Korea.

The sanctions were imposed by the US as Washington continues to increase pressure on North Korea in the denuclearization process. After the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore last June, North Korea announced an end to nuclear and ballistic missile tests, as well as the dismantling of an internationally known nuclear test site.

However, so far, the denuclearization process has not made clear progress and North Korea has criticized the US for always making unilateral demands.