Seoul's Foreign Ministry has made it clear that,... if necessary,... penalities will be imposed on those responsible for importing North Korean coal into South Korea last year,... in what would be a clear violation of international sanctions on Pyongyang.
The ministry says,... to prevent further loop holes,... the government will closely cooperate with the international community.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has announced it would veto any reduction of the UN Security Council's imposed ban on North Korea's exports.
It added... the U.S. will take action against those that facilitate North Korea's flouting of international sanctions.