WASHINGTON – The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it was imposing sanctions on five North Koreans for their work in developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile-related programs for Pyongyang.

These sanctions follow at least two North Korean ballistic missile test.

On Monday, the most recent test was taken. the second launch in a week. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, it originated in Jagang province and traveled approximately 430 miles before reaching the East Sea.

“Today’s action, part of U.S. ongoing efforts against the DPRK weapons of Mass Destruction and ballistic Missile Programs, targets its continued use overseas representatives to illegally acquire goods for arms,” Brian Nelson, the Under Secretary for the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence said Wednesday in a statement.

He said, “The DPRK’s recent missile launches are additional evidence that they continue to advance prohibited programs in spite of the international community’s calls for diplomacy & denuclearization.”

The following individuals have been designated:

• Choe Myong Hyon, a Russia-based DPRK national
• Sim Kwang, China’s chief representative has been working to procure steel alloys
• Kim Song Hun is a representative based in China who works to procure software, and chemicals
• Kang Chol Hak (a China-based representative) has purchased goods from Chinese firms
• Pyon Kwang Chol is the deputy representative of an alleged cover company of a Second Academy of Natural Sciences subordinate organization in China. He was initially assigned to work there in 2014.

Pyongyang reported last week it completed a successful test of its sophisticated hypersonic weapon.

Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday that the U.S. was still assessing whether that test was of a hypersonic missile with a maneuverable warhead.

All North Korean ballistic missile test are prohibited by U.N. Security Council resolutions.

This missile test, which follows a number of weapon tests in 2021 shows that Kim Jong Un is determined to improve military capabilities despite stalled talks with the United States.

His rule has seen the state become reclusive, launch its strongest nuclear test and threaten to strike the U.S. territories of Guam, Guam, and the surrounding waters.