The U.S. Department of Treasury said that its pointman on international sanctions will visit Japan, the Republic of Korea and China next week to discuss the implementation of sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran over their nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

During his trip on March 18-22, David Cohen, under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, will focus on "the ongoing cooperation and consultation" to implement the United Nations sanctions aimed to disrupt Pyongyang's efforts to "continue its nuclear proliferation activities and ballistic missile programs," the Treasury said in a statement.

Washington has imposed fresh sanctions on DPRK's individuals and entities after the United Nations Security Council passed unanimously resolution 2094 on March 7 condemning the Asian country's third nuclear test on February 12.

In addition, Cohen will discuss the existing economic sanctions against Iran, the Treasury said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2013)