Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center was also put on the blacklist.

An unnamed official from South Korea’s Foreign Minister said that there is “evidence of illegal ties” between those blacklisted individuals and entities, who have already faced US sanctions, and their possible involvement in weapons trading with North Korea.

It is the first time that the government has taken such a punitive step against foreigners and groups who are not from North Korea, in a bid to increase pressure on Pyongyang.