US: punishment for North Korean scientists

washington - Two North Korean scientists can face penalties from the US government. The Ministry of Finance also announced the two by name, to increase pressure on the country and to further isolate North Korea, said a spokesman for the department.

According to the US, it is Kim Jong Sik and Ri Pyong Chol, both of whom played a very important role in North Korea's nuclear program. On Friday, the Security Council of the United Nations came with new sanctions, after a missile test at the end of November. In those sanctions, North Korea is faced with restrictions on the export of petroleum products.

It is not known what sanctions have been imposed on North Korean scientists. It is also not clear where the two are.