Japan to consider sanctions to DPRK

The Japanese government said Monday it was ready to take punitive action against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, Kyodo News reported.

The move would be taken in consultation with South Korea and the United States, the report said.

Earlier in the day, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama instructed cabinet ministers to consider additional sanctions on the DPRK over the South Korean warship issue at a high-level national security meeting.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told reporters Japan would offer support if the South Korean government referred the incident to the UN Security Council for punitive measures against the DPRK.

After the meeting, Hatoyama held talks over the telephone with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, expressing support for South Korea's position.

South Korea on Monday announced exchanges and trade with Pyongyang were on hold and it would hold military drills aimed at deterring "further aggression" by the DPRK.

Since the March 26 sinking of South Korea's warship, Cheonan, which killed 46 sailors, tensions have escalated between South Korea and the DPRK.

South Korea blamed the deadly incident on a DPRK torpedo attack, and is seeking international support for punishing Pyongyang. However, the DPRK firmly denies the charge and insists on sending its own inspection team to verify the evidence.