Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that the “Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs." | Susan Walsh/AP Photo Treasury aims sanctions at Chinese, Russian entities over North Korea

The Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions on 16 Chinese and Russian entities and individuals it said have aided North Korea.

Treasury's targets included three Chinese companies that the administration said were responsible for importing almost half a billion dollars’ worth of North Korean coal as well as Russians it said were involved in providing oil to the country.


The announcement follows an escalation of tensions with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program and missile tests. Early this month, the United Nations agreed to step up sanctions.

“Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and isolating them from the American financial system,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

“It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region. We are taking actions consistent with UN sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future.”

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to consider new North Korea sanctions legislation this fall.