EU to toughen sanctions against North Korea
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says "diplomatic and economic pressure is the most effective way to pressure Pyongyang".
Monday 16 October 2017 00:53, UK
European ministers are to sign off on tougher sanctions against North Korea.
At a meeting in Luxembourg, foreign ministers from the bloc will back plans to cut off sources of cash that are helping North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to continue his illegal missiles programme.
Exports of European oil will be stopped and a ban on EU investment in North Korea will be expanded.
More regime officials and companies will be targeted by asset freezes and travel bans.
The banned luxury goods list will be reviewed and personal payments sent to the rogue state will be capped at €5,000 (£4,450), down from the current €15,000 (£13,350).
There will also be tougher restrictions on North Korean workers in the EU, although there are none based in Britain.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "North Korea continues to pose an unacceptable threat to the international community, which is why the UK, working closely with our European allies, has secured a set of stringent new sanctions upon the regime.
"As I have said before, the North Korean regime must bear full responsibility for the measures that the international community is enacting against it, including these sanctions.
"Maximising diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea is the most effective way to pressure Pyongyang to halt its illegal and aggressive actions."