EU extends North Korea sanctions in line with UN resolution

The European Union is boosting its sanctions against North Korea in line with a U.N. Security Council Resolution following another nuclear test in September last year.

The EU member states said in a statement Monday they will restrict trade in coal and iron and ban imports of several other metals. The EU also imposed a ban on helicopter and ship exports and tighten restrictions in the financial services after the U.N. decision of November.

The EU first imposed sanctions on North Korea in late 2006. They target its nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.

Measures include bans on the trade of arms, goods and technology that could contribute to the programs.

In December 2016, the United States blacklisted 23 North Korean companies and officials, notably flag carrier Air Koryo, in response to the country's nuclear tests.

Such sanctions are imposed with the aim to increasingly isolate the Asian country politically and economically.