Tougher sanctions may jeopardize the latest detente between
the two Koreas, illustrated by the North’s participation in the Winter
Olympics in the South, amid preparations for talks about a possible
summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean
President Moon Jae-in.
A senior U.S. administration
official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, called the new
penalties “the largest package of new sanctions against the North Korea
regime”, without giving details.
U.S. Vice President
Mike Pence had hinted at such a plan two weeks ago during a stop in
Tokyo that preceded his visit to South Korea for the Pyeongchang
Olympics.
North Korea last year conducted dozens of
missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in defiance of
U.N. Security Council resolutions as it pursues its goal of developing a
nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. It defends
the weapons programs as essential to deter U.S. aggression.
But it has been more than two months since its last missile test.
North
Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he wants to boost the “warm climate of
reconciliation and dialogue” with South Korea, which hosts 28,500 U.S.
troops, after a high-level delegation, including his sister, returned
from the Olympics.
