The United States on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on several firms and individuals that are said to be aiding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear weapons program. Nine entities, 16 people, and six vessels operating in Russia, China and the DPRK are now on the US Treasury Department's punishment list. The action will enable the US to block assets held by those people or firms in the country and prohibits US citizens from dealing with them. Washington has also called on Beijing and Moscow to expel residents allegedly raising funds for Pyongyang's nuclear tests.