The United Nations adopts sanctions against North Korea.

The UN Security Council has just approved sanctions against 14 individuals and 4 organizations in North Korea, while the US has stated that it will respond in other ways if necessary.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (second from left) celebrates during a test launch in May 2017. Photo: AFP

AFP reported that the council unanimously approved the draft resolution on sanctions against North Korea, prepared by the United States, on June 2nd.

Accordingly, sanctions were imposed on an additional suspected leader of a spy ring, 13 officials, and four organizations in Pyongyang. These individuals will have their assets frozen and face travel bans.

The sanctions list includes Cho Il U, who is believed to be in charge of overseas espionage activities and gathering international intelligence for the Kim Jong Un regime.

The remaining thirteen included high-ranking officials of the Workers' Party of North Korea and leaders of trading companies tasked with procuring supplies for Pyongyang's military program.

The four organizations placed on the blacklist include Koryo Bank, two companies linked to the North Korean military, and the country's Tactical Missile Force.

The sanctions do not include some of the embargoes that the US administration imposed last month, such as an oil embargo, a maritime embargo, trade restrictions, and measures to curb the flow of North Korean workers abroad.

Before adding 18 individuals and organizations, the UN blacklist imposed on North Korea included 39 individuals and 42 organizations.

"The Security Council is sending a clear message to North Korea: Stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences," said U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley.

French Ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre said the sanctions resolution was "a warning" to North Korea of ​​harsher sanctions if it does not change and stop the test launches.

China, an ally of Pyongyang, supports sanctions but calls for dialogue to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

China's ambassador to the UN, Liu Jieyi, described the current tensions as "complex and sensitive" but added that there is a "small but important opportunity" to return to "the right path to finding a solution through dialogue and negotiation."

According to Tuoi Tre newspaper