(VOVworld) - The US government announced Friday sanctions on one North Korean entity and 11 North Korean individuals for their links to the country’s nuclear and missile programs.

A ballistic missile launched from a North Korean submarine (Photo: EPA/ VNA)

The US Treasury Department said in a statement that the sanctions target North Korean nationals working abroad alleged to provide financial support or services for the UN or US designated sanctioned entities. The action was taken in response to North Korea's ongoing development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and continued violations of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

The one entity that was sanctioned is the North Korea-based Paeksol Trading Corporation, meanwhile 11 individuals are working for North Korean enterprises or banks in foreign countries.