Obama signs legislation hitting North Korea with more sanctions
US President Barack Obama has signed legislation to punish North Korea with more stringent sanctions over its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
The White House said on Thursday the president had signed measures approved by Congress, tightening sanctions on anyone importing goods or technology related to weapons of mass destruction into North Korea, or anyone who knowingly engaged in human rights abuses.
"The administration is deeply concerned about North Korea's actions and their recent provocations," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said before Obama signed the legislation.
He said the Obama administration hoped the sanctions will "serve to increase pressure on North Korea. That is a goal that Congress stated and it's a goal that we share."
On February 7, North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket, saying that it carried a satellite into space. However, the West and some regional countries say such launches by North Korea are in fact ballistic missile tests.
The US House of Representatives passed legislation on February 12 in order to impose tougher sanctions on any individual or entity that imports goods or technology or training pertaining to weapons of mass destruction into North Korea or anyone who deliberately engages in human rights abuses.
The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on February 10.
On February 9, the Pentagon said it was planning to deploy an advanced missile system to South Korea “as quickly as possible” to counter the growing threat of Pyongyang’s weapons capabilities.
The Pentagon confirmed it would start formal talks with Seoul on placing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) on North Korea's doorstep.
THAAD is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach.
North Korea says it is boosting defense capabilities in the face of enemy threats. The country is irked by joint military maneuvers by South Korea and the US and views them as a direct threat against its security.
The country declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and carried out several nuclear weapon tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013. It also conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, triggering condemnation from the international community.
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