South Korea has imposed sanctions against eight North Korean nationals involved in the trade of banned weapons and illicit cyber activities.

The South Korean foreign ministry announced the measure on Wednesday. The move was made after North Korea conducted a launch drill for a solid fuel ICBM-class Hwasong-18 last week.

The new targets include Ri Chang Ho, who heads North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau. The ministry said Ri was involved in illegal cyber activities conducted by hacker groups working under the bureau's supervision. It added that foreign currency earned through the operations was used to finance nuclear and missile development programs.

The ministry said the other seven individuals were involved in the trade of weapons banned under UN Security Council resolutions.

The ministry stressed that Seoul will continue to cooperate closely with the United States, Japan and the international community to stop Pyongyang from engaging in provocative acts and encourage it to reengage in denuclearization talks.

This is the 14th time that the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol has independently announced sanctions against the North.