Japan on Friday stepped up its economic sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes.
“ Tokyo said it will freeze the assets of 19 additional North Korean firms working in the finance, oil and coal sectors,’’ the Japanese foreign ministry announced.
A government spokesman said the fresh sanctions are in reaction to North Korea’s recent test of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile.
Following the missile test at the end of November, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to maximise pressure on North Korea.
