Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said that the US is also proposing UN sanctions in response to North Korea’s six ballistic missile launches since September.

The State Department has designated Russia-based North Korean Choe Myong Hyon, Russian national Roman Anatolyevich Alar and the Russian firm Parsek LLC for “activities or transactions that have materially contributed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery.”

Four China-based North Korean representatives of SANS-subordinate organizations – Sim Kwang Sok, Kim Song Hun, Kang Chol Hak and Pyon Kwang Chol – and one other Russia-based North Korean, O Yong Ho, were also targeted.

US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said the moves targeted North Korea’s “continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons.”

In a statement, Mr Blinken said that between at least 2016 and 2021, goods with ballistic missile applications procured included Kevlar thread, aramid fibre, aviation oil, ball bearings, and precision milling machines.

Instructions were also shared for creating solid rocket fuel mixtures.

“The procurement and supply relationship between O Yong Ho, Roman Anatolyevich Alar, and Parsek LLC is a key source of missile-applicable goods and technology for the DPRK’s missile program,” his statement said.