The U.S. State Department has said it will not hesitate to take unilateral action against entities that continue to support North Korea’s regime in contravention of U.N. sanctions.

The Voice of America said a department official revealed the position on Thursday in response to the broadcaster's request to comment on its report that North Korea twice shipped its coal from Russia to a third country via South Korean ports last year.

The official went on to say that all U.N. Member States are required to implement U.N. Security Council sanctions and Washington expects them all to continue doing so.

The official added that the U.S. is cooperating with many countries, including China, to take decisive action against entities involved in the North’s sanctions evasion activity.

[Photo : YONHAP News]