US sanctions DPRK individuals, entities over alleged rights abuses

Photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 26, 2015 shows top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-un making a congratulatory speech at the 4th National Conference of War Veterans on July 25, 2015. [Photo/KCNA]

WASHINGTON - The US Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and other top officials over alleged human rights abuses.

Kim was designated "for having engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for an abuse or violation of human rights by the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The designated top DPRK officials include Choe Pu Il, Minister of People's Security, Ri Song Chol, Counselor in the Ministry of People's Security, and Kang Song Nam, a Bureau Director with the Ministry of State Security, according to the statement.

In addition, the Treasury also slapped sanctions on 10 other individuals and five entities for their ties to DPRK's alleged abuses of human rights.

As a result of the move, any property or interest in property of those designated within US jurisdiction is frozen. Transactions by US persons involving the designated persons are also generally prohibited.

The department has previously sanctioned four individuals and three entities of the DPRK over alleged human rights abuses.