New sanctions on North Korea

THE United States yesterday announced new sanctions against North Korea, targeted against its leadership, and warned of serious consequences if it attacked the South again.

Relations across the divided peninsula have turned increasingly hostile after South Korea accused the North of sinking one of its warships in March, killings 46 sailors.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington was ready to return to international talks over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme if Pyongyang sent a “positive signal”.