The US will impose new sanctions on North Korea, following the crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship.

The move was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a visit to South Korea.

She said the measures would target Pyongyang’s sale and purchase of arms and import of luxury goods, and would help prevent nuclear proliferation.

China has expressed concern over joint US-South Korean naval exercises, saying they could increase tensions.

An international inquiry blamed North Korea for sinking the Cheonan warship in March, with the loss of 46 lives, but Pyongyang has denied any involvement.

Speaking at a news conference in Seoul, Mrs Clinton said the measures would increase Washington’s ability to “prevent North Korea’s proliferation, to halt their illicit activities that help fund their weapons programmes, and to discourage further provocative actions”.

She said the sanctions were not directed at the North Korean people but at the “misguided and malign priorities of their government”.

(Source: BBC)