US Imposes New Sanctions on North Korean Officials After ICBM Test

The sanctions will have little impact but will ensure tensions remain high

The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on three North Korean officials said to be tied to the country’s weapons programs following Pyongyang’s November 18 ICBM test.

Since North Korea is under such heavy sanctions, the measures will have little impact, but they will ensure that tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high.

North Korea has launched a record number of weapons tests this year as the US and South Korea have resumed massive war games. The two sides continue tit-for-tat escalations with no easing of tensions in sight.

The US and South Korea are planning to expand upcoming anti-submarine war games, known as Silent Shark, that are set to be held in 2023. The iteration of the drills is expected to be the largest ever, and Pyongyang will likely react with more weapons tests.

The Biden administration hasn’t changed its approach to North Korea and is still calling for the “denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula, which is a non-starter for talks with Pyongyang, especially amid the current tensions.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.