The United States on Thursday targeted North Korea with fresh sanctions after its launch of a spy satellite last week, designating foreign-based agents it accused of facilitating sanctions evasion to gather revenue and technology for Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction program.
In a statement, the U.S. Treasury Department said it also applied sanctions to cyberespionage group Kimsuky, accusing it of gathering intelligence to support North Korea's strategic and nuclear ambitions.
Thursday's action, taken in coordination with Australia, Japan and South Korea, comes after North Korea last week successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite, which it has said was designed to monitor U.S. and South Korean military movements.