Japan imposes asset freeze

TOKYO, July 23 (UPI) -- Japan will freeze the assets of five North Koreans identified as being involved their country's nuclear weapons and missile development, the government said.

A similar order Thursday also was issued against five entities, which the government said were in line with the U.N. Security Council decision passed last month in response to North Korea's May 25 nuclear test and subsequent missile launches, Kyodo news reported.

The action against the individuals will also include entry and transit ban.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a news conference North Korea was urged to "take seriously" the U.N. resolution.

The entities facing asset freeze are the General Bureau of Atomic Energy, Hong Kong Electronics, Namchongang Trading Corp., Korea Kyoksin Trading Corp. and Korean Tangun Trading Corp. Other than Hong Kong Electronics, which is in Iran, the other four are in North Korea, the report said.

The United Nations sanctions committee has drawn up a list of entities and individuals subject to its new sanctions.