U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday issued an executive order imposing new sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang's nuclear test in January and a ballistic missile test last month, according to dpa. The executive order enables the United States to implement a UN Security Council resolution passed earlier this month significantly tightening sanctions on North Korea and a new US law on sanctions against the reclusive communist country. "These actions are consistent with our longstanding commitment to apply sustained pressure on the North Korean regime," the White House said in a statement. It said the global community would not tolerate North Korea's illicit nuclear and ballistic missile activities and would continue to impose costs on North Korea until it complies with its international obligations. The new sanctions are aimed at stopping North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes by limiting its exports and inspecting all cargo coming in and out of the country. The resolution, passed by the Security Council March 2, also calls for a complete ban on the sale of all conventional weapons and items that could bolster Pyongyang's military. It also bans the export of certain minerals from the country, prohibits the sale of luxury items to North Korea and imposes travel bans and asset freezes.
